CWU Names Interim Dean For College Of The Sciences

December 14, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.--Central Washington University has announced the appointment of Dr. Martha Kurtz as interim dean for the College of the Sciences. Kurtz, whose appointment begins December 16, 2007, has been a professor in CWU's Chemistry Department since 1995. She has also served as the chair of the department since 2001.

"Dr. Kurtz has the right combination of administrative experience and knowledge of the college that will provide the continuity that the college needs as we conduct a national search for a dean," says David Soltz, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at CWU. "She is committed to student success and to supporting faculty as teacher/scholars."

Dr. Kurtz earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction: chemical education from Arizona State University, her M.S. in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her B.S. in chemistry from Northern Arizona University.

"I am excited to begin serving the university in a new way," explains Kurtz. "It's a privilege to be appointed to lead the excellent faculty, staff and students of the College of the Sciences. The programs in the College of the Sciences are strong, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to provide positive educational experiences for our students."

At Central, Kurtz has worked with her colleagues on improving the assessment of critical thinking skills in general education science courses and in finding more ways to use the environment as a context for integrated learning.

Kurtz adds, "One of the things that excites me about the interim dean position is the strength of the college's interdisciplinary programs because I believe the ability to solve integrated problems is key to educating for the 21st Century."

Kurtz's appointment will continue until a new dean is selected through a national search process.

Contact: Martha Kurtz, CWU College of the Sciences, 509-963-1422, kurtzm@cwu.edu
Becky Watson, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, bwatson@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.