December is a month filled with end of the semester activities and festivities, and this year is no exception as we celebrate the appointment of Dr. Marquita Grenot-Scheyer as dean of the College of Education, extend our best wishes to Dr. Ron Vogel as he concludes his tenure as dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and look forward to our Divisionwide holiday celebration taking place on Friday.
As the new dean of the College of Education, Dr. Grenot-Scheyer brings 20 years of experience at CSULB to the position along with a depth of understanding of the college’s strengths, serious commitment to promoting and enhancing our urban education mission, and the willingness to engage in significant development work on behalf of the college. The college will surely continue to flourish under her leadership.
This month, we celebrate his leadership and say goodbye to Dean Vogel, who will begin his new position as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills in January. During his seven years as dean, the college experienced tremendous growth and has promoted important initiatives, leading the effort to establish Veteran’s University, the long-awaited nursing building addition, enhancing student services, and fostering an increase in student and faculty research and scholarly support. I want to thank Dr. Vogel for his outstanding leadership and many years of service to the college and campus community.
I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Dixie A. Grimmett will serve as acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services, effective January 1, 2009. Dr. Grimmett is well known and highly regarded in the college and across the university, having served successfully as executive assistant to the president, associate dean of the college, and as long-term chair of the Department of Kinesiology. Dr. Grimmett will provide effective and supportive leadership while we search for a new dean.
I hope that you will be able to join us for refreshments and music by the Bob Cole Conservatory Quartet at the Division of Academic Affairs’ Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 12 from 3 – 5 p.m. in the University Student Union’s Alamitos Bay Room.
Thank you for all of your hard work this semester and for your ongoing efforts to provide a nourishing and intellectually stimulating academic environment for our students, faculty, and staff. I wish you, your families, and your loved ones a safe and very happy holiday season.