By Kim Manahan

More new faces among the faculty should start appearing soon.

Wesley is currently conducting searches for seven new professors.

Some are replacing retired faculty, while others are new positions, said Dr. Patricia Dwyer, vice president of academic affairs.

The physical education department has already hired Patricia Sherblom, who will be starting in the spring to help with the NCATE report, Dwyer said.

“It’s quite a financial commitment,” Dwyer said. “Some are replacements and those salaries are transferred.”

Both positions being filled in the nursing department are new.

Grants supported the two faculty spots, and they are now being transferred into full tenure track lines, Dwyer said.

During these hard economic times, the decision to hire so many says a lot about President Johnston, she said. “It’s impressive.”