OSU Board approves personnel actions

Friday, March 7, 2008

(STILLWATER, Okla., March 7, 2008) -- The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents approved several personnel actions during its March 7 meeting at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Linda E. Watson, professor and chair of the Department of Botany at Miami University, was named professor and head of the Botany Department, effective June 30.

Watson received her B.S. degree in biological sciences from Louisiana State University, and her Ph.D. in botany and plant systematics from the University of Oklahoma. She served as assistant professor in the OU Department of Botany and Microbiology from 1994-95 before joining the faculty at Miami University, where she was named chair of the department in 2003.

Her professional memberships include the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Southeastern Biologists, Botanical Society of American, International Organization of Plant Biosystematists, Society of Systematic Biologists, Society of Woman Geographers, and the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, where she currently serves as treasurer.

J. Kevin Doolen, chair and associate professor of theatre at the University of Albany/State University of New York since 2003, was named professor and head of the Theatre Department, effective June 30.  

 He received his B.S. degree with honors in theatre from Southern Illinois University, and his M.F.A. in directing from the University of Illinois.  

 Prior to joining the faculty at SUNY, he was associate head and associate professor of theatre arts at Texas A&M University from 2001-03, and was professor in the Department of Speech and Theatre Arts at Columbia Basin College from 1995-2001. He also held positions at the Los Angeles Development Leave Activities, at Salve Regina University, Castleton State College, New York City Development Leave Activities, and Virginia Intermont College.

 Doolen was named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Medallion in February 1996, and his professional memberships include the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, National Association of Schools of Theatre, Association of Theatre in Higher Education, and Alpha Psi Omega national honors fraternity.

APPOINTMENTS: Jeffrey A. Sallee, assistant professor and extension specialist, 4-H Youth Development Programs; Hasan Atiyeh, assistant professor, biosystems and agricultural engineering; George Opit, assistant professor, entomology and plant pathology; P. Christopher Wood, clinical instructor, botany; Marianna A. Patrauchan, assistant professor, microbiology and molecular genetics; Cornelia J. Ketz-Riley, clinical assistant professor, veterinary clinical sciences.

CHANGES: Sissy R. Osteen, transfer from design, housing and merchandising to human development and family science; Steven D. Spradling, promotion from supervisor to director, parking and transit services.

SABBATICALS: Nancy B. Wilkinson, art, 100 percent sabbatical to continue to do research in London, England, and complete three writing projects, from Jan. 16-May 31, 2009; Ming Yang, botany, 50 percent sabbatical to conduct plant and microbial research at the John Innes Centre, United Kingdom, from Sept. 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009; William Decker, English, 100 percent sabbatical to work on a fourth book exploring ways in which 18th and 19th century American literature sought to articulate an emerging national conscience, Jan. 16-May 31, 2009; Toni Graham, English, 100 percent sabbatical to finish a third book of fiction set in Oklahoma, Jan 16-May 31, 2009; Frederique Knottnerus, foreign languages, 100 percent sabbatical to research and write a book on personal and social rituals that play a major role in social life and human experiences, Jan 16-May 31, 2009; Elizabeth Catlos, geology, 50 percent sabbatical to teach and conduct research at Middle Eastern Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, Sept. 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009; Todd Halihan, geology, 50 percent sabbatical to participate in an Australian government-sponsored research project on the Great Artesian Basin, Sept. 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009; Roger Zierau, mathematics, 50 percent sabbatical to conduct research at the University of Utah and the University of Adelaide, Australia, Sept. 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009; Lawrence Pasternack, philosophy, 100 percent sabbatical to conduct research on epistemology, the theory of knowledge, Sept. 1, 2008, to Jan. 15, 2009; Jacques H.H. Perk, physics, 50 percent sabbatical to teach and conduct research at the Mathematical Sciences Institute, Australian National University, Sept. 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009; Danny M. Adkison, political science, 100 percent sabbatical to research and write a book on James Madison and his role as “Father of the Constitution,” Sept. 1, 2008, to Jan. 15, 2009; David Knottnerus, sociology, 100 percent sabbatical to work with scholars in Wisconsin and Arkansas on two writing projects on theory development of the Mega Church, religion, and the consumer culture, Jan. 16-May 31, 2009; Joseph R. Bidwell, 100 percent sabbatical to conduct a series of field experiences in South Australia on metal resistance in marine invertebrates, Sept. 1, 2008, to Jan. 15, 2009.

RETIREMENTS: Margaret L. Pierce, June 2; Ronald L. Moomaw, Aug. 1; Christopher E. Price, May 31.