Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Scott Robinson was approved as the new director of the School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University by the Board of Regents Tuesday. Robinson, who also will hold the rank of associate professor of art, will assume his new duties at SFA Aug. 1.

He is currently a professor in the Department of Fine Arts at Collin County Community College’s Central Park campus in McKinney. He previously served as art/art history program coordinator for the Department of Communication and Fine Arts at North Central Texas College in Gainesville and as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Texas.

“I see a very bright future for the School of Art under Dr. Robinson’s leadership,” said Dr. A.C. Himes, dean of SFA’s College of Fine Arts. “When you get your top candidate – everyone’s first choice – I think there is a high expectation from the art faculty, the community and the dean for great things for our School of Art. We are very excited about Dr. Robinson coming to SFA.”

Dr. Robinson holds both a bachelor’s degree in art and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of North Texas, as well as a doctorate in art history from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Also, during Tuesday’s board meeting, Danny Gallant was named vice president for finance and administration, having filled the position as interim for the past year. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from SFA and began working with the university as an accountant in 1983.

Regents also approved the promotion of Rhonda Minton to director of alumni affairs marketing and membership. Minton previously served as associate director for communications and public relations for alumni affairs. She holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from SFA and has worked at the university since 1992.

The promotion of M.E. McWilliams from program director to director of the Academic Assistance and Resource Center also was approved by the Board of Regents. The AARC offers free peer tutoring and supplemental instruction in most lower-division, core-curriculum and high-risk courses at SFA. McWilliams has a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from SFA. She has 20 years of service with the university, the last seven in the AARC.

Regents approved the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan as professor and assistant chair of elementary education in the James I. Perkins College of Education. She replaces Dr. Mary Nelle Brunson, who recently was promoted to associate vice president for academic affairs. Vaughan was awarded tenure, as was Mark Sanders, chair of the Department of English and Philosophy.

Approved changes of status in education include Carrie A. Baker, from administrative assistant to certification specialist adviser; Sandra Stewart, from assistant professor of elementary education to assistant professor of secondary education and educational leadership; Dawn Michelle Williams, from adjunct faculty to instructor of elementary education; and Emily E. Wilson, from substitute teacher to teacher-Toddler II in the Early Childhood Lab. Tara Newman was appointed assistant professor of human sciences in the college.

Regents approved the following faculty appointments in the College of Fine Arts: Lauren Blaine McAdams, assistant professor of metal/jewelry; Matthew Evans Sutherlin, instructor of art education; and Jamie Gay Weaver, assistant professor of musicology. Approved changes of status in fine arts were Marsha S. Blount, from lecturer of art to assistant professor of art; and Neal W. Cox, from visiting assistant professor to assistant professor of art.

In the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, regents approved the following faculty appointments: Roderick Hanks, assistant professor of social work; Kristina Mao, assistant professor of government; Gabriela Miranda-Recinos and Jose Neftali Recinos, assistant professors of Spanish; and Cecilia S. Tyler, visiting lecturer of sociology. Changes of status in the college include: Alan Baily, from visiting assistant professor to assistant professor of government; Sam Copeland, from associate professor of social work to director of the Bachelor of Social Work program in the School of Social Work and associate professor of social work; and Louise E. Stoehr, from instructional technology specialist in modern languages to assistant professor of German.

Regents approved a change of status for Dale Spradling, from visiting assistant professor of accounting to assistant professor of accounting. The appointment of Amy McBeth Owen, a clinical instructor of nursing, also was approved.

Other changes of status include: Aleta M. Spivey, from senior benefits assistant to benefits coordinator; Sandra J. Turner, from associate director of institutional research to Axcess project director; Jennifer M. Brancato, from library associate I to archivist; and Lani H. Draper, from librarian II to online communication specialist in the Office of Public Affairs.

Staff appointments approved by the regents include: Kendall Blair Hewett, assistant softball coach; Tammy Marie Mitchum, financial aid officer, Jeffery W. Ghiringhelli, plant operation analyst, Debra G. Glymph, remediation specialist in the College of Sciences and Mathematics; and Justin Lee Anderson, coordinator of aquatics. Danny Kaspar was reappointed as the head men’s basketball coach.

Regents also approved the appointment of several teachers to the new University Charter School. They are: Angelique Beckwith, Kathryn R. Chapman, Becky S. Griffith, Lauree S. Hayes, Jeri D. Meredith, Stephanie E. Murray, Jan K. Wisener and Holli L. Zawlocki.

The board accepted the following retirements at the meeting Tuesday: Cheryl R. Athey, Early Childhood Lab and charter school teacher; Verna Barron, associate professor of psychology; Barbara C. Carr, professor of English and philosophy; and Ernest B. Ledger, professor of geology.

A leave of absence with pay was granted to Mark Ludorf, professor of psychology, who will spend the fall semester researching and studying in Italy following his nine months as director of the Axcess implementation project.