Cohoon Stepping Down as Dean

The longest-serving faculty member in the history of Arkansas Tech University is returning to the classroom on a full-time basis. Dr. Richard Cohoon, who has served on the Arkansas Tech faculty since 1960, will step down as dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences on June 30, 2011, and return to duties as professor of geology beginning July 1, 2011. Cohoon has been dean of what is now known as the College of Natural and Health Sciences for 23 years. He submitted the request for his change of assignment to Arkansas Tech Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. John Watson on Dec. 3 and it was approved by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees during its meeting on Thursday. “It has been my privilege to serve as dean of the School of Physical and Life Sciences and later the College Natural and Health Sciences for a total of 23 years,” wrote Cohoon in his memo to Watson. “One of the most pleasant aspects of this service has been working closely with the senior administrators of the university, my fellow deans, several excellent department heads and many of the faculty. “I look forward to focusing more of my energy, professional knowledge and abilities on the study and teaching of geology,” continued Cohoon. “I especially look forward to teaching classes in mineralogy and petrology during the 2011-12 academic year.” Watson wrote in a memo presented to board members on Thursday that a national search for a new dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences will begin during the spring 2011 semester.

]]>