Dear Colleagues,
Consequent to my communication of 6 October 2004 on our plans for the Honors College, I want to first express my appreciation to those members of the faculty who took the time to share their own aspirations and suggestions for the future of the Honors College. I am also grateful to those of you who made recommendations of specific individuals who might contribute their talents to the leadership of the Honors College, and I am impressed by the extent of concurrence on this issue.
With this segue, I am most pleased to announce that I have asked Prof. Maria Fracasso, Chair of the Department of Psychology, to serve as Dean of the Honors College beginning January 2005. Dr. Fracasso joined Towson in 1994 as an assistant professor, following completion of her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Fordham University in 1987, an initial appointment as a postdoctoral research fellow at the NIH, and a research fellowship jointly supported by the National Research Council and NIH from 1990 to 1994. While a faculty member at Towson, she has engaged in a number of student support activities, as the coordinator of undergraduate internships in her department, a leader in advising, both in her department and in targeted institutional programs, as well as a mentor for numerous undergraduate research honors projects. She has taught a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, within her own specialization of human development, in cultural and women?s issues, as well as in the methodological underpinnings of the social and behavioral sciences. She has maintained her scholarly interests in infancy and early development examined through the lens of cognitive, emotional and culturally based variables. Her many contributions have occurred through conference presentations, invited addresses, peer reviewed papers, book chapters, and a forthcoming book on the ?assessment of socio-emotional development of toddlers.?
Prof. Fracasso?s diligence as a tireless worker for her department, college, and the university has made her known as an effective chair and strong advocate for the quality of education. Her numerous committee assignments have generated a wide network of contacts so important for the future of the Honors College. I described at the October Academic Convocation and in the earlier message my own vision for the Honors College as a locus of academic excellence and its place as an incubator of curricular innovation, accessible for all undergraduate students. I believe that Maria?s talents and energies will serve the Honors College and its students well, and perhaps most importantly, leverage those benefits across the university and to all students.
I want like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Jeffrey Michael who has served the Honors College this fall as Acting Director. He not only guided the transition with deliberation and stability, he also excelled in his credible presence as an advocate for honors students. Prof. Michael has accepted my invitation to continue his commitment to the Honors College as Associate Dean beginning January 2005.
I know you will be hearing more from the Honors College in the weeks and months ahead. I am pleased that the Honors College will assume a rightful place and representation in the academic leadership of the university. I hope that you will join me in wishing Dean Fracasso and Dean Michael well in their new positions, and I am confident that you will work them as the Honors College grows to a model of educational support ringing with the excitement of learning.
Thank you again.
James F. Brennan
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
