Jerome (Jerry) D. Odom has been named executive director of the USC Foundations.

Odom, who has served the University in numerous leadership capacities, including as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, will succeed Susie H. VanHuss, who will retire June 30. President Sorensen said Odom's record of leadership and service to the University, coupled with his knowledge and experience, make him an ideal choice to oversee the foundations.

"Throughout his career, he has earned admiration and respect for his vision and his leadership, and I am delighted that, once more, he has agreed to accept a leadership role that is vital to the future of the University," he said.

John C. B. Smith, Jr., chair of the Search Committee and of the Board of Directors of the USC Educational Foundation, said he is confident that Odom will do an outstanding job as executive director.

"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Jerry Odom was interested in this important position," Smith said. "Jerry is a person of the highest character, unquestioned integrity, and intelligence. He has shown his devotion to USC through many years of valuable service as a professor, dean, and provost. He has the respect of the Foundation Boards, the administration, the faculty, and the community. We fully expect Jerry will do an outstanding job as executive director."

Odom earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Indiana University. After a postdoctoral year at Bristol University in Bristol, England, Odom began his career at USC as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He was named professor and chair of the department and later was promoted to dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.

In March 1997, Odom was appointed provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, a position he held until August 2004 when he returned to teaching.

Odom is the recipient of numerous University awards and honors, including the Amoco Teaching Award; the Mungo Teaching Award; the Russell Research Award in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering; and the USC Educational Foundation Service Award.

To honor Odom, the USC Foundations established the Jerome D. Odom Fellowship in Chemistry, and the Educational Foundation elected him as a faculty representative to its board.

When the fellowship was announced, VanHuss said, "Odom is both a good 'starter' and a good 'closer.' In addition, he is a great team player! He has consistently given both his time and energy at the critical moment to make initiatives come to fruition. With his background of more than 30 years of teaching, leadership, and administrative experience, Jerry Odom is able to capitalize on a tremendous well of institutional knowledge and administrative skill to make good things happen."

3/06