Chaden Djalali, the first candidate in the University of Iowa’s search for a new dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will hold a public forum at 4 p.m. today in W290 Chemistry Building.

Djalali seeks to fill the position of Dean Linda Maxson, who announced her resignation in July 2011.

Djalali is a Carolina Distinguished Professor and the head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of South Carolina. He maintains an active research program in intermediate energy nuclear physics and hadronic physics, according to a UI press release. He will speak on "What do you perceive to be the unique value of a liberal-arts education in a Research I university?" His interview and visit will last through Friday. Three other candidates will also visit campus over the next few weeks. The next candidate will arrive on campus April 9 and 10.

— by Dora Grote