TCU College of Education’s dean to retire at the end of the current academic year

Dr. Deitz at Mabee Foundation Education Complex dedication ceremony.

Fort Worth, TX

1/31/2008

The dean of TCU's College of Education, Dr. Sam Deitz, will retire at the end of the 2007-2008 academic year after serving TCU for eight years. Dr. Mary Patton, the College of Education's associate dean, will serve as the interim dean during the 2008-2009 academic year while a national search for a new dean is conducted.

"Sam's legacy is considerable. Self evident to all of us is his role in the creation of the magnificent Education Complex that enhances the southern part of our campus," said TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. "Less tangible, but in the end more important, is the enthusiasm of the faculty and students in the College."

"I have been thrilled to serve as dean of the College of Education and consider these the very best years of my professional career," said Dr. Deitz.

When Dr. Deitz first arrived at TCU, he immediately started working on redesigning undergraduate programs and new certification levels and developing strategic plans to guide academic and fundraising efforts. During his tenure at TCU, numerous college-wide accomplishments and initiatives occurred including:

• Opening the new J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Education Complex consisting of the Betsy and Steve Palko Hall and the restored Bailey Building

• Establishing the first doctoral program in the College of Education; through his efforts, there are two doctoral programs in leadership and one in science education

• Strengthening and then endowing the Andrews Institute for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

• Beginning the Center for Urban Education and the Alice S. Neeley Institute for Special Education.

• Increasing financial stability and the number of students instructed at both Starpoint and KinderFrogs schools

• Increasing the international experiences so that this year almost 50 college undergraduates will complete part of their student teaching in an international setting

• Receiving an endowment to start the Ann M. Jones Chair of Special Education

"I do not take credit for what we did as everyone was involved in major ways," said Deitz. "There is not a single person in our college who did not make significant contributions to these accomplishments."

Prior to joining TCU in 2000, he was the dean of the College of Education at Georgia State University. Having taught for a total of over 40 years, Dr. Deitz first began as a high school English teacher and moved on to higher education a year later. Dr. Deitz then went to Georgia State University where he taught for 29 years, and served his last ten as their College of Education's dean.

Over the years, he has published numerous articles and given countless presentations on education trends and topics. After retirement, he plans to travel, spend more time with his family, and be available for consulting.





Media contact:
Shawn Kornegay
Asst. director of communications
817-257-5061
s.kornegay@tcu.edu