College of Sciences Newsletter

Edition 17

March 1, 2003

Our Leader Steps Up

Until January 1, 2003, Thomas L. Isenhour was the dean of the College of Sciences. At that time, he stepped into the role of university provost and vice president for academic affairs following his appointment to the new position last month when the Board of Visitors approved the change.

Isenhour says he considers his most significant accomplishments at the university thus far to be the increased collegiality within the sciences college and with other colleges on campus, improved student retention, and the growth in interdisciplinary research. He, also, oversaw the implementation of tutorial programs in biology, chemistry, computer science and math for undergraduates; the implementation of five-year B.S./M.B.A. programs for majors in those fields and psychology; the final stages of construction through possession of the R/V Fay Slover; and the creation of the Center for Computational Science, which tackles cross-disciplinary, high-powered computing research in the sciences.

Isenhour joined Old Dominion in 2000 after serving as professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry at Duquesne University. Prior to this he was dean of arts and sciences at Kansas State University and provost at the American University in Bulgaria. But his talents extend beyond administration, teaching and the chemistry lab. He loves flying his own plane, acting in community plays and writing. Recently, he won third prize out of 179 entries in a short-play competition. His play, “Dad,” opened on February 14, 2003 for a three-weekend run at the Henrico Theatre Company outside Richmond.

The College of Sciences will miss his high energy and wit but is comforted that the university got the best man for the job as second in charge. We wish him the very best and know he will serve our university even better than he served our college.