Beginning this summer, Marshall University will streamline its academic college structure in a move expected to create additional opportunities for students while also reducing administrative personnel costs.
On July 1, the Graduate School of Education and Professional Development and existing College of Education units will combine programs to become a new comprehensive College of Education. Dr. Teresa Eagle, currently dean of GSEPD, will become dean of the new College of Education.
Eagle said, “Our new College of Education will continue to be centered on student success and providing the tools our students need to become highly sought-after professionals who make a positive difference in the lives of their students. Marshall University was founded 175 years ago as an academy to train West Virginia teachers. The roots of the GSEPD are rich in a philosophy and practice of outreach across the state and the region. We are bound by our mission and our history to build on those traditions through modern, effective instruction and administration. I’m confident we can take that to the next level through this new organizational structure.”
Dr. Robert Bookwalter, currently dean of the College of Education, will become interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective June 1.
Dr. Gayle Ormiston, Marshall University provost, said the retirement of two longtime administrators is providing the opportunity to combine administrative roles and responsibilities across several programs. Dr. Rudy Pauley, associate vice president for Outreach and Continuing Studies, will retire June 1; and Dr. Donna Spindel, dean of the Graduate College, will retire Aug. 16.
Dr. David Pittenger, currently dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will assume Pauley’s and Spindel’s duties, which are being combined into the position of associate vice president and dean of graduate studies. Dr. Pittenger will serve in this role on an interim basis.
“These moves will eliminate two senior administrative positions without reducing student support services or affecting program curricula,” Ormiston said.
Staff members in the Graduate College and College of Education will continue in their current roles. Administration of the university’s physical facilities in South Charleston, Point Pleasant, Beckley and Teays Valley, for which Pauley was responsible, will be provided through existing staff at the South Charleston campus.
Beginning July 1, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications will join with the School of Music and Theatre and the School of Art and Design, which are currently within the College of Fine Arts, to form a new college, the name of which has not been announced. The Marshall Artists Series also will reside in the new college.
Donald Van Horn, currently dean of the College of Fine Arts, will become dean of this new college. Janet Dooley, currently interim dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, will become director of the school and will also serve as associate dean of the new college.
Dr. David Castleberry, currently interim director of the School of Music and Theatre, will return to his previous role as associate dean on July 1. Byron Clercx will continue as director of the School of Art and Design.
Van Horn said, “I see tremendous opportunities for our students in progressive new programs ranging from advanced web design, photography, social media, digital media, graphic design and advertising. We will continue our renowned tradition of training outstanding journalism and public relations professionals, visual and performing artists and arts scholars, while capitalizing on degree programs that respond to rapidly evolving fields in digital communications.
“We are in a constantly changing era of digital communications and Marshall University is creating an entirely new model that I strongly believe will make us one of the most outstanding programs in the nation. This is a very exciting time for Marshall University with the construction of our new downtown Visual Arts Center and the creation of this new college. Fine and performing arts and communications are truly on the move here in Huntington.”
Van Horn has formed a committee of journalism and arts faculty to develop policies and procedures, as well as to recommend a name for the new college.
