GREGORY STEPS DOWN AS DEAN OF SCIENCES
Richard V. Gregory, dean of the College of Sciences at Old Dominion University, has resigned his appointment and will assume the role of chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry effective Sept. 15, announced Provost Thomas L. Isenhour. Gregory has served as dean of the college since 2003.
Associate Dean Joseph Rule will serve as interim dean while a national search is conducted.
An Old Dominion alumnus, Gregory cited his desire to be more involved in high-level research and help the college and university achieve the goal of being a top 100 research university.
"While involved in the administrative duties as dean, I have come to realize how much I missed the interaction with graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and other faculty and staff directly involved in research," he said. "In this capacity as chair, I can directly assure the success of the new Ph.D. program in chemistry that is vital to our shared goals and build quickly towards a top 100 department."
President Roseann Runte said, "I am very proud of the fine work accomplished by this distinguished graduate of Old Dominion University. We are most fortunate to have a scientist of his calibre on the faculty. I certainly appreciate his desire to return to the lab and the classroom and think this is a most extraordinary
opportunity for Dr. Gregory, the chemistry department and the university. I am looking forward to some extraordinary results, when you consider the fine qualifications and chemistry of Dr. Gregory, Dr. Hatcher and their colleagues."
Provost Isenhour praised Gregory's accomplishments as dean, noting his establishment of the COSMIC major instrumentation center, the appointment of renowned chemist Patrick Hatcher as the Batten Endowed Chair in Physical Sciences and ODU's increased collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School as just three of his many highlights.
"Dick Gregory had numerous accomplishments as dean and has been a strong advocate for interdisciplinary educational and research programs," Isenhour said. "He is an excellent chemist and is well known for his innovations in polymer science. I am confident he will provide excellent leadership to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. I can't think of anyone who would be better to launch Old Dominion's most recently approved Ph.D. in chemistry than Dick Gregory."
Prior to joining Old Dominion, Gregory was director of the School of Materials Science and Engineering and professor of polymer science at Clemson University, where he served in various roles since 1990. With 17 years of academic experience, Gregory is a prolific researcher and dedicated teacher. He has written four books, more than 40 articles published in various journals, more than 80 papers and over 60 professional conference proceedings. He has conducted 10 sponsored research projects and more than 120 presentations. Gregory has had six U.S. patents and two foreign patents issued with five patents pending. He has advised 40 post doctoral, doctoral and masters students throughout his tenure.
Gregory received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Old Dominion in 1980 and doctorate in physical chemistry from Clemson in 1984.
He is a member of the American Chemical Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Material Research Society and American Physical Society. He was elected to the board of the Society of Plastics Engineers and served as technical program chair from 1998-2000.