After 14 years leading Ball State University's Teachers College, Dean Roy Weaver is stepping down to focus on returning to the classroom.
"I've been in the Dean's office for nearly 25 years," Weaver said, referring to his ten years as associate dean beginning in 1982, followed by his promotion to the position of dean in 1993.
Weaver is not leaving the university, he said, but he said his decision to transition from administrator to teacher and researcher might be a step toward retirement.
"I felt like it was a good time for someone to come into the position [of dean]," Weaver said. "A lot has happened over the last 24 years. It would be good [for someone new] to take [Teachers College] forward for a number of years."
Weaver said he would remain in his position until the university chooses a replacement.
Provost Terry King said Weaver is the longest-serving dean of Ball State's nine academic colleges.
He said Weaver has led a remarkable career in his position.
"I would like to say how pleased we have been with Weaver's leadership," King said. "We certainly wish him well."
Under Weaver's leadership, King said, Teachers College created the nationally-recognized Electronic Field Trips program, the Professional Development Schools Network and the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities.
According to the Electronic Field Trips Web site, the program is a multimedia educational experience, the result of partnerships between Ball State and museums across the country.
King said the process of choosing a replacement would begin immediately and a new dean should be hired by Fall 2008 or Spring 2009.
Charlene Alexander, associate professor of psychology-counseling, said she responded immediately to an e-mail announcing Roy Weaver's departure as dean of Teachers College: "Say it ain't so."
"He's done a wonderful job as dean," Alexander said. "I think he has been very supportive of our environment and our strategic plan in our department and I think that is something I am going to miss. He is just a very positive person."
Alexander said the department looks forward to seeing Weaver's replacement.
"I hope there will be someone who has, certainly, his energy and his enthusiasm and his vision, [someone] very committed to all the departments within the college," she said.
Instructor of Elementary Education Donna Williams said Weaver brought Teachers College into the age of technology.
"He has been instrumental in the technology advancement in this particular college and he has kept us on the cutting edge," Williams said.
"I believe, honestly believe, that whatever search committee there is will have a really tough time filling [Weaver's] shoes," she said. "He really is an extraordinary man."
Roger Lavery, dean of the College of Communication, Information and Media, said Weaver is an innovative, irreplaceable leader.
"There's no doubt there will be a sense of loss and we're going to miss him," Lavery said. "In some ways, the senior dean helps set the agenda. They've got a perspective on how issues were dealt with, and that's gone when he leaves the group."
Lavery said Weaver has been called the "virtual dean" because he lacks a physical office on campus and because he is constantly on the move.
(Daniel Human and Joe Cermak contributed to this report.)
New dean1. The provost assembles a search committee chaired by a current dean. The committee includes staff from the outgoing dean's department as well as student representatives
2. The committee will create a position description and advertise in education-specific journals such as "Chronicle of Higher Education"
3. Over several months, the committee solicits applicants and reviews applications; about 12 candidates will receive reference checks
4. The committee will invite a group of three to five finalists to campus for tours and several days of interviews
5. The provost will summarize the committee's impressions of the candidates and make a recommendation to the president
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