The University of British Columbia Board of Governors has approved the appointments of Bernard O. Bauer as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Robert Belton as Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and Marvin D. Krank as the Dean of Graduate Studies effective July 1, 2005.
Dr. Bauer has served as Dean of the Faculty of Science and a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Okanagan University College (OUC) since 2004. Previously, he served as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography at the University of Southern California. One of his many areas of research is the study of Geomorphology which looks at landforms and the processes that shape them.
The new Faculty of Arts and Sciences at UBC Okanagan will be known as the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and will offer education in the Arts, Humanities, and the Social, Natural, and Physical Sciences.
“Dr. Bauer brings with him an impressive research background, and the vision to lead this new faculty,” says Dr. Barry McBride, UBC Okanagan Deputy Vice Chancellor. “Although this School will offer traditional academic disciplines, it is far from traditional. Students and faculty will be encouraged to break down the barriers that separate disciplines and create their own journey of discovery.”
An award-winning teacher, Dr. Belton has served as the Dean, Faculty of Arts, at OUC since 2002. His areas of research have included the history, theory, and criticism of modern and contemporary European and North American art and architecture. More recently, he has turned his attention to the interface of art history and skeptical, scientific thought.
The Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies will offer Bachelor of Arts Degrees with Majors in Creative Writing, English, French, French and Spanish, and Spanish, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Arts.
“Dr. Belton exemplifies the balance of creative and critical thinking that will weave throughout the programs in this new faculty,” says Dr. McBride. “In addition to the current offerings, we will be developing programming in theatre, film and other creative arts. All of these will add to the cultural fabric of the institution and the community at large.”
Dr. Krank’s most recent position was as Vice President, Academic, at OUC. He also served as the Director of Graduate Studies for the institution and is a Professor of Psychology. His research focuses on psychological and social determinants of drug use and drug effects and he has just completed a three-year longitudinal research project on the social and cognitive determinants of risk-taking behaviours and their health outcomes in youth.
Starting in September of this year, Graduate Studies will offer students the opportunities to pursue studies across disciplinary boundaries and to tailor their course of study to their particular needs and interests. Initial programs will include Master’s degrees in Education, as well as Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Environmental Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.
“These programs mark the first time that graduate degrees at both the Master’s and Ph.D. level will be directly offered in the Okanagan,” says Dr. McBride. “We expect to see the number of graduate students grow to 500 over the next 4 years. Dr. Krank’s strong combination of academic and administrative experience will be extremely valuable during this growth phase.”
Further announcements will be made as UBC Okanagan prepares for its first students in September, 2005.
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