WMU News

Interim directors named in social work, aviation

December 11, 1998

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees Dec. 11 approved the appointments of two interim department leaders and a dining services dirctor as well as a faculty appointment for the University's president.

Dr. Tracey Mabrey was named interim director of the School of Social Work, effective Jan. 1, 1999, through June 30, 2000; and David H. Thomas was named interim director of the School of Aviation Sciences, effective Nov. 26, 1998. Kenneth D. Bartholomew was named director of dining services, effective Jan. 19, 1999.

In addition, WMU President Elson S. Floyd was named a professor with tenure in both the Department of Educational Leadership and the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, effective Aug. 10, 1998. Floyd became the University's sixth president on Aug. 1, coming to WMU from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he served as executive vice chancellor. He earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at UNC.

Mabrey, who has been associate director of the School of Social Work since 1997, replaces Dr. Philip R. Popple, who is leaving WMU this month to become director of the social work program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Mabrey has been a faculty member since 1994, when she came to the University from the Council on Social Work Education in Alexandria, Va., where she had served as an accreditation associate. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo and master's and doctoral degrees from Howard University.

Thomas, who has been at WMU since 1996, replaces Joseph H. Dunlap, who has left the University to become dean of industrial technology at Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore. Thomas was involved in developing the School of Aviation Sciences' International Pilot Training Centre, which was launched a year ago, and he has been serving as head of training for that centre. Prior to coming to

WMU, he worked for seven years as chief instructor at the British Aerospace Flying College. Before that, he served for 22 years as a pilot in Great Britain's Royal Air Force. He earned a bachelor's degree at Liverpool University and a master's degree at Newcastle University.

Barholomew, a 31-year veteran of WMU's food service system, replaces James R. Dean, whose retirement also was approved by the board at its Dec. 11 meeting. Batholomew, a 1966 graduate of Ferris State University, joined the staff in 1967 as an assistant supervisor. He managed food service operations in Spindler Hall and Valleys #2 and #3 before being named assistant director of dining services, a position he has held since 1977.

In other personnel action, the board approved a return to the faculty for Dr. Robert E. Shamu, chairperson of the Department of Physics, effective June 30, 1999.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


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