Bonnie Van Lunen Named Dean of College of Health Sciences
Bonnie Van Lunen
By Betsy Hnath
Bonnie Van Lunen has been named the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, effective June 10.
Austin O. Agho, provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced the appointment in a letter on Monday, Feb. 26. In it, he praised Van Lunen's years of dedicated service and her "vision and advocacy for faculty and students."
Van Lunen began her work in Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education in 1999.
She currently serves as professor and chair of the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, interim assistant dean of graduate education within the College of Health Sciences, graduate program director of the Post-Professional Athletic Training Program and graduate program director of the Health Services Research Doctoral Program.
"I'm excited and honored to serve as the next Dean of the College of Health Sciences," Van Lunen said "Having served 19 years in various roles for the University has only solidified my desire to continue to give back to such a great institution. The faculty within the College of Health Sciences are forward-thinking and visionary, and truly care for the student first."
Agho extended his "deepest gratitude to Dr. Richardean Benjamin for her excellent work as interim dean since January 2017. She did an excellent job in providing strong and stable leadership to the College."
Van Lunen has published 72 manuscripts and one textbook; presented 176 research presentations; procured 36 funded grants totaling over $2.5 million; and procured clinical services contracts throughout the Commonwealth totaling over $6.5 million for athletic training services.
Her scholarly contributions revolve around: lower extremity assessment, evidence-based practice in athletic training and outcomes within clinical education. She has worked with teams of researchers in these areas and has published various related manuscripts.
Van Lunen has been active in service to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE), including site accreditation visits, standards revisions and program reviews.
She received a service award from NATA for her contributions to the profession and was awarded designation as an NATA Fellow in 2012.
Van Lunen has served on 18 doctoral dissertation committees (15 as chair) and 40 thesis committees (31 as chair) as well as on the Graduate Advisory Council at Old Dominion. She was also involved in the development of a University-wide student wellness initiative, investigation of a Center of Excellence for Falls Prevention and the establishment of a universal doctoral program within biomedical sciences.
Van Lunen was a State Council for Higher Education of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award nominee and finalist for the past two years.
She has taught at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels and been active in program design and development, including the development of two different doctoral programs and a Master of Science in Athletic Training at the post-professional level.
Van Lunen holds a Ph.D. in sports medicine and a Master of Education in athletic training from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in physical education from Castleton State College.
Agho offered his thanks to search committee members who included: Brian Payne, vice provost for academic affairs, who chaired the search committee; Muge Akpinar-Elci, professor and chair of community and environmental health; Nate Apatov, associate professor of nursing; Janice Hawkins, senior lecturer of nursing; Lisa Koperna, lecturer of physical therapy and athletic training; Jay Kossman, managing director of USACS Mid-Atlantic, US Acute Care Solutions; Elizabeth Locke, senior lecturer of physical therapy and athletic training; Lee Melvin, lecturer of dental hygiene; Steven Morrison, professor of physical therapy and athletic training; MyNgoc Nguyen, program manager for the Center for Global Health; Carolyn Rutledge, professor of nursing; Kriste Salamon, administrative assistant to the dean of Health Sciences; Scott Sechrist, associate professor of medical diagnostic and translational sciences; and Lynn Tolle, professor of dental hygiene. Search firm representatives Jackie Zavitz and Libby Ulman, from Heidrick and Struggles, were also thanked for the energy and time they put into the process and for attracting a strong pool of candidates.
