Huntington Selects Dean
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowHuntington University has named Michael Wanous vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. He is currently associate academic dean at Augustana College in South Dakota. He will succeed Del Doughty, who will remain with the university in various other roles. April 16, 2014
News Release
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – After a national search process, Huntington University has named Dr. Michael Wanous as the institution's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. Wanous currently serves as the associate academic dean at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Wanous join us at Huntington University,” President Sherilyn Emberton said. “Dr. Wanous' leadership in the area of faculty and program development adds to the quality and breadth of opportunities for our faculty and institution. His record of research and scholarship will continue to help us move forward in the areas of pre-medical, health occupations, science and agriculture. He is a great complement to our existing faculty and will provide wonderful leadership in areas of future growth.”
In his new role at Huntington University, Wanous will supervise faculty, plan and operate academic programs and oversee the library, student registration and academic facilities. He will be responsible for creating, updating and overseeing an academic strategic plan for HU as well as providing leadership for assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty development, faith-learning integration and the use of educational technology.
“I am very excited to be joining President Emberton's leadership team and the community of learners at Huntington University,” Wanous said. “My first goal as dean is to build relationships with faculty, my colleagues on the leadership team and students to listen and develop a clear understanding of the issues and challenges that we should prioritize.”
Wanous holds a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and international agriculture from the University of Minnesota.
In his 17 years at Augustana, Wanous has developed master's and undergraduate programs, launched a new faculty mentoring program, promoted undergraduate research projects and raised significant grant funds.
Prior to his role as associate academic dean, he served as the natural science division and biology department chair at Augustana in addition to teaching biology and genetics classes. His research efforts have focused on plant molecular cytogenetics and gene expression. Wanous spent a sabbatical in Norwich, United Kingdom, working at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international center focusing on plant science and microbiology. He also served as the president of the South Dakota Academy of Science.
“With its Christ-centered mission, dedicated faculty and staff and amazing students, Huntington is a treasure in higher education. I look forward to being part of developing our strengths and envisioning new pathways for a vibrant future,” Wanous said. “Together, we will build on the excellent foundation we have at Huntington to continue providing an outstanding education for students in the current higher education environment.”
Wanous will begin his new position on July 7.
Wanous succeeds Dr. Del Doughty who has served as the interim vice president for academic affairs for the past two years. Doughty will continue with the university as a professor of English, chair of the English department and associate dean for academic affairs.
Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its “Best in the Midwest” list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
Source: Huntington University