The story regarding the appointment of Margaret Crocco as the chair of the Department of Teacher Education (“Former University of Iowa dean with checkered past hired at MSU,” April 24) was inflammatory and misleading. Professor Crocco does not have a “checkered past.” She is a distinguished and experienced scholar and administrator who has won accolades over the course of her career.

The incident reported in the article, which is old news, was well known to the search committee as well as to me at the time Professor Crocco interviewed for the position. We determined, both through our discussions with her, as well as through reference checks, that it had no bearing on her potential for success in the position of chair of the Department of Teacher Education. She has our full support, and we will not let rumor and innuendo through irresponsible articles like this prevent her from achieving that success.