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Liberal Arts Dean Announces Plan to Return to Faculty Role

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white503.jpgDean of the IU School of Liberal Arts, Robert W. White, announced on Wednesday, August 15th, that he will step down from the school’s deanship effective June 30, 2008. He will resume his faculty role as professor of sociology with the IUPUI school.

During his tenure, Dean White oversaw the first, comprehensive strategic planning process for the school, involving staff,  faculty, alumni, and community members in the year-long activity. Shortly after the strategic plan was adopted, he appointed the Dean’s Research Advisory Council, composed of alumni and community volunteers dedicated to assisting the School of Liberal Arts in achieving its long-term goals.

Under White’s leadership, the school created the Center on Global Health Communications, the Center for Ray Bradbury Studies, and the Institute for Research on Social Issues, an IUPUI Signature Center. In addition, the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture and a number of other long-standing interdisciplinary programs with ties to Liberal Arts also became IUPUI Signature Centers.

“I have been privileged to work with a talented and committed group of people as dean,” White said. “My reasons for stepping back at this point are quite simple. I miss my research; I miss teaching; and, I want to spend more time with my family. I am announcing this now to give the school and the campus time to search for my successor.”

Under Dean White’s leadership, the school launched new degree programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, a Master of Arts in Museum Studies, and a Doctorate in Philanthropic Studies, as well as several academic certificate programs.

The school also entered into partnerships with Moi University, Kenya; The University of Derby, UK; Hakuoh University, Japan; and the University of Newcastle, UK, thus expanding international study opportunities for both students and faculty in the School of Liberal Arts.

“Bob White has led the IU School of Liberal Arts through an important transitional time and put in place an excellent plan for the future,” IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz said. “I thank Bob for his leadership and service to IUPUI and look forward to his continued scholarly contributions.”

White, an expert on Irish political violence and international terrorism, is author of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, The Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary (Indiana University Press, 2006) as well as other books and articles on the subjects of political violence and terrorism.  Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, he was called upon by the IUPUI campus to lead town hall discussions to help students, staff and faculty deal with the issues related to that tragedy.

Published on: August 16, 2007