Englund Named Interim CWU College of the Sciences Dean

Tim Englund, professor of mathematics, was named as the interim dean of Central Washington University’s College of the Sciences (COTS). The current dean, Kirk Johnson, a professor of sociology, is retiring at the end of spring quarter.

Currently Englund serves as an associate dean in the college and has been successful in several COTS initiatives. Prior to joining the dean's office, he served one term as chair of the Mathematics Department and as the faculty coordinator for the Ronald E. McNair Scholarship program at CWU.

“I’m looking forward to serving the university in the role of interim dean,” said Englund. “My goal is to continue and complete many of the important projects that were started during Dean Johnson’s tenure, and provide support and leadership for our faculty.”

“Tim has brought leadership skills to his role as associate dean that will transfer very nicely to his new role as interim dean. He will provide the experience and knowledge of COTS that is needed,” said Provost Marilyn Levine.

Englund received his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Michigan, and earned his doctorate from Michigan State University. He has been a member of the CWU mathematics faculty since 1998. His current primary research interests include interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues in Nutrition and Health Sciences examining elementary school lunches. Previously, his research focused on the representation theory of Chevalley groups.

A dedicated ultramarathoner, Englund routinely participates in 50-mile (and longer) competitions. He recently raced—and won—the Big’s Backyard Ultra in Tennessee. Englund outlasted the field of 40 runners by running a total of 145.8 miles over a span of 35 consecutive hours. Big’s Backyard Ultra was a last-man-standing format, which is different than most ultras. The event was started as a fundraiser to help pay vet bills for an injured pit bull named Big.

The College of the Sciences is comprised of thirteen academic departments and eleven interdisciplinary programs in the natural, behavioral, social, and computational sciences. The college is also home to a number of affiliated programs focused on education, student learning, and research projects. The college currently consists of 170 full- and 62 part-time faculty and 40 staff located on the main campus in Ellensburg and at the Des Moines, Lynnwood, Moses Lake, Pierce, Wenatchee, and Yakima University Centers.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu
April 27,2015