University Registrar Roger Printup announced in February that he would retire at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year after 14 years at the University — sending administrators scrambling to find someone who could follow in his footsteps. The six-month search recently came to a close when former University of Chicago Registrar Thomas Black was selected for the position.

“It was important that we find the right person with just the right combination of experience and talent,” said Vice Provost of Student Affairs Greg Boardman. “Tom is a highly regarded professional with an established reputation, having served as registrar at several notable universities.”

But Black noted that he has large shoes to fill.

“I find it a distinct honor to succeed Roger Printup as registrar,” Black said. “I’ve known Roger for many years and he is well respected among professional registrars nationwide.”

Black hopes to spearhead efforts of integrating technology into his office’s functions as he takes on his new role.

“I don’t have a specific change agenda already mapped out for Stanford,” Black said, “but I hope what I can do is stimulate our thinking about how technologies can be better used to get the results we are seeking.”

Black said that his previous drives to implement new technologies will serve as the foundation for his efforts at Stanford.

“I’ve been in higher education administration at four different institutions for 30 years,” he said. “During this time, I’ve come to appreciate what technologies can and cannot do to make organizations more effective and why.”

He noted that one of his office’s most important duties is that of providing information support services — and that technology is a key part of this role.

“Our community needs and thrives on information,” he said. “For example, students want and need information on courses being offered, our faculty members need to know the progress of their students and various administrators require information to make better policy decisions.”

“By applying technologies appropriately,” he added, “the registrar supplies accurate, meaningful information, reliably in flexible and timely forms.”

Black said he supports the use of electronic transcripts.

“The electronic transcript is one manifestation of the information support services,” he said. “I believe there will be many more [initiatives] to come.”

Black expressed enthusiasm towards his new position and embraced a change for both himself and Stanford.

“What is ahead will be very exciting if not a bit unpredictable,” he said. “What better place to embrace the future than at Stanford, where thoughtful people wish to make meaningful differences with their lives?”