Mike Osterman, middleware analyst for Whitman’s Emerging Technology department, has been named a 2009 Frye Leadership Institute Fellow.

The Frye Fellowship is a prestigious information technology program designed to develop the next generation of higher education leaders.  

Osterman’s work with projects such as netFiles, CLEo and GoPrint have designated him Whitman’s first recipient of the award.

“I feel incredibly honored to have been selected, and am looking forward to the challenge ahead. I’m especially grateful that I’ve received a Mellon Foundation scholarship, which will cover all my expenses, including travel, for the residential portion of the program,” said Osterman.

The Frye Leadership Institute provides an intensive two-week residential program held in early June for faculty, librarians and university information technology professionals who aspire to significant leadership roles. The program focuses on creative leadership and the qualities needed to confront strategic changes in higher education. Following the residential program, participants will go on to conduct a year-long practicum to explore, at their own organization, some of the key issues raised at the conference.

“Whitman has had great success through collaboration in the Sakai (the system that runs CLEo) community, which is comprised of institutions diverse in instructional program, size and culture. The Frye Institute will give me the necessary leadership skills to broaden this practice of collaboration and ultimately result in innovative and effective technology solutions for the College,” said Osterman.

Osterman will begin his fellowship in June 2009, and his practicum will continue throughout the 2009-2010 school year.