UNIVERSITY NAMES NEW EDUCATION DEAN
William H. Graves, dean of the College of Education and professor of counselor education and educational psychology at Mississippi State University, has been named dean of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University. His appointment is effective June 25.
"I am pleased to be associated with the university and the Darden College because of its reputation for producing outstanding education and human services professionals," Graves said.
The appointment concludes a nationwide search by a university committee whose members unanimously recommended Graves, Old Dominion Provost Jo Ann Gora said in a letter to education faculty. Graves will succeed Donna Evans, who stepped down from the Darden College of Education post last June, and Jane Hager, who has since served as interim dean.
Graves joined the Mississippi State faculty in 1968 and has served as a dean of education since 1995. He previously chaired MSU's Department of Counselor Education and Educational Psychology and directed the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision.
From 1990-92, Graves served as director of the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research for the U.S. Department of Education. Former President George Bush appointed Graves to the post.
A native of South Carolina, Graves received his doctorate and his master's degrees from the University of Florida and his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University.
As dean at Mississippi State, Graves is responsible for academic and administrative leadership of a college with an enrollment of more than 2,900 students and 105 tenure-track faculty in six academic departments.
Under his leadership, externally funded service and research programs increased from $3.7 million to more than $12 million. The rate of enrollment growth in the college at both the undergraduate and graduate levels exceeded that of the university and increased 15 percent over five years.
Also during Graves' tenure, private giving to the university increased 300 percent.
In addition, MSU received accreditation for its undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education, school psychology, counselor education, rehabilitation and music education.
At Old Dominion, Graves will oversee five departments, as well as a number of centers and programs. The departments are: early childhood; speech-language pathology and special education; educational curriculum and instruction; educational leadership and counseling; exercise science; physical education and recreation; and occupational and technical studies.
"The vision of the university for the Darden College of Education is exciting," Graves said. "Implementation of this vision affords the Darden College a real opportunity to serve children, youth and families in the Commonwealth and those living beyond the borders of the Commonwealth.
"I look forward to working with the Old Dominion University community and the Hampton Roads K-12 school systems in the implementation of this important vision."