Ron Matson named interim dean of LAS Ron Matson named interim dean of LAS

Interim Provost Keith Pickus has selected Ron Matson to be interim dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Matson, longtime chair of the Department of Sociology, will replace Dean Bill Bischoff when Bischoff steps down at the end of the current academic year.

Pickus said: "Professor Matson has the administrative skills, faculty support, deep knowledge and enduring love of Wichita State University that will make him an effective advocate for the departments and programs of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His service on numerous college and university committees, coupled with his strong teaching record, makes him an ideal candidate to lead the college during this period of transition."

Matson was selected from a pool of candidates reviewed by the LAS College Council.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education named Matson the 2011 Kansas Professor of the Year.

"This leadership opportunity is accepted with a commitment to the talented and dedicated faculty in Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, knowing we can transition successfully through a time of change at Wichita State University," said Matson.