Curtiss E. Porter has been named interim director of the Stamford campus. Porter replaces Mark Swanson, who has returned to research and teaching physics at the campus.

"We are delighted that Curtiss Porter has accepted our offer to lead UConn Stamford during the academic year," said Fred Maryanski, vice chancellor for academic administration. "This is an exciting time for UConn and Porter's outstanding leadership skills coupled, with his development abilities and knowledge of the community, will smooth the transition to the downtown campus and to our new leadership role in Fairfield County."

Porter said "I am very enthusiastic about joining the UConn Stamford team. The University of Connecticut is a flagship higher education institution. UConn Stamford will continue to generate academic excellence in teaching, research and community service, and lifelong learning.

"Its effective partnerships with the community will continue to assist in regional economic and social achievements," he added. "I am certain the UConn Stamford team, student, staff and faculty will remain a winning element in Stamford's leadership community."

Porter is no stranger to the area and to educational and non-profit institution. He is best known in Stamford and the southwestern part of the state for his 10 years as president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Southwestern Connecticut. Most recently he has acted as special advisor for strategic affairs and vice president for affiliate development for the National Urban League Inc. In that position he provided strategic insight, planning and operational management to the 3,000 employee and 300,000 volunteer network of the 114 national affiliates of the Urban League.

As president of the Urban League of Southwestern Connecticut he helped the organization regain its fiscal solvency, quadrupled the revenues and broadly enhanced the image of the Urban League. Under his direction, the Urban League purchased and renovated its current downtown Stamford location, increased its client base and built effective relationships with the corporate community. As part of his duties at UConn Stamford, Porter will oversee the move to the downtown campus, scheduled for January 1998.

Porter's experience in education is equal to his non-profit experience. He was chair of the Department of Black Community Education, Research and Development at the University of Pittsburgh and has been an adjunct professor at both UConn and the University of Bridgeport. He also taught Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach. He has served as director of programs for diversity at Greenwich Country Day School, and as youth development liaison supervisor at Pressley Ridge Youth Development Extension.

There are many boards and commissions for which Porter volunteers his time, including the Connecticut Commission on Education and Technology, Connecticut Commission on the Future of the State, Stamford Center of the Arts Board of Directors, Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Youth Involvement, Mayor's Economic Development Commission, Regional Planning Association of New York, UConn Area Advisory Committee, The Black Artists Theater company Board of Directors and the United Way Council of Agency Executives.

Porter, a resident of Stamford, received his bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

Pamela Julias

Pamela Julias is director of public relations at the Stamford campus.