Three cheers for architect and Princeton professor Sarah Whiting (that's her at right, all smiles amidst the Tyvek), who has been appointed dean of the Rice University School of Architecture. "Leading the Rice School of Architecture is a dream job," Whiting said in a statement issued today. "Because it is small, everyone—faculty and students alike—is engaged. The dean is not a distanced administrator like at big architecture schools, but is right in there focusing the school's ambition." Her decanal career officially begins on January 1, 2010, when she'll take over from John Casbarian, who has been serving as interim dean since Lars Lerup stepped down in the spring after 16 years in the post.

An expert in urban and architectural theory, Whiting came to Princeton in 2005 after six years at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (it was while at the GSD that she appeared on Charlie Rose, discussing Peter Eisenman). Prior to that, she taught at the University of Kentucky, IIT, and the University of Florida. Whiting is also an alumna of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture and departed Team Koolhaas for WW Architecture, the firm she founded with her husband, Ron Witte. WW's current projects include renovations for the drama division of the Juilliard School at Lincoln Center and a museum of art and design for San Jose State University. "I feel the variety of her experiences is a real asset," said Rice University provost Eugene Levy, who is not to be confused with the Canadian funnyman. "She's been on the faculty of a diverse set of institutions, which has fostered a broad set of perceptions and openness to thinking about the challenges of the discipline and the challenges of leadership that will be extremely valuable."