Several K-State academic departments under new leadership

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News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu

Friday, October 20, 2006

SEVERAL K-STATE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP

MANHATTAN -- Several academic departments at Kansas State University have made changes in their leadership. Among the new leaders are:

Lt. Col. George Belin, head of the department of military science. Belin succeeds retired Lt. Col. Arthur DeGroat, who is now K-State's director of military affairs.

Stephen Benton, chair of the department of special education. Benton succeeds Mary Kay Zabel, who retired.

Kris Boone, head of department of communications. Boone previously served as interim head of the department.

Amit Chakrabarti, interim head of the department of physics, for Dean Zollman, who is on sabbatical.

Gary Clark, head of the department of biological and agricultural engineering. Clark succeeds James K. Koelliker, who is on phased retirement and is conducting research.

John DeLeon, head of the department of engineering technologies at K-State at Salina. He previously served as interim head of the department.

Jerry Frieman, interim head of the department of psychology. Frieman succeeds Stephen W. Kiefer, who is now director of the university honors program.

Charlie Griffin, head of the department of speech communication, theater and dance. Griffin succeeds David Procter, who is now director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development.

Carol Ann Holcomb, head of the department of apparel, textiles and interior design. Holcomb succeeds Gita Ramaswamy, who has left K-State.

Angela Hubler, head of the women's studies program. Hubler succeeds Cia Verschelden, who is director of the office of assessments.

John Leslie, head of department of plant pathology. Leslie succeeds Scot Hulbert, who has left K-State.

Jim Nechols, interim head of department of entomology. Nechols succeeds Sonny Ramaswamy, who has left K-State.

Gary Pierzynski, interim head of department of agronomy. Pierzynski succeeds David B. Mengel, who is teaching and running the K-State Research and Extension soil testing lab.

Bonnie Rush, head of the clinical sciences department. Rush succeeds Greg Grauer, who is teaching, doing researching and assisting with clinics.

Bryan Schurle, head of the department of agricultural economics. Schurle succeeds Daniel J. Bernardo, who has left K-State.

Chwen Sheu, interim head of the department of management. Sheu succeeds Brian Niehoff, who is on sabbatical.