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Wallace Named to New Dean’s Post

March 28, 2012

Dr. Andrew B. “Andy” Wallace, professor and head of Angelo State University’s Physics Department, has been named dean of academic excellence, effective April 1.  

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Brian J. May announced the appointment, saying it was the first step in restructuring academic support services to help increase ASU’s retention rates, especially among freshmen, and ultimately to improve graduation rates. 

In the new position, Wallace will oversee the First Year Experience, undeclared advising, ASU’s tutoring centers, developmental education, a new freshman orientation class and fall convocation.  The supervisory structure is based on successful models at other universities that have instituted freshman colleges to help new students adapt to and succeed in higher education. 

Dr. May said Wallace’s lengthy record of academic success and involvement with student organizations made him the perfect candidate for the position, which was a budget neutral administrative change due to a reallocation of funding. 

“I am very excited about the possibilities of this effort and having someone of Dr. Wallace’s experience in student life and academics,” May said.  “Dr. Wallace has led a nationally recognized physics program for 13 years and has exemplified the outstanding student assistance and relations that we strive for as an institution.  His record of accomplishment along with the accomplished staff in our Center for Academic Excellence will make for a great experience for all incoming freshman and, hopefully, will result in greater retention and graduation at ASU.” 

Wallace joined the ASU faculty in 1989 and was appointed department head in 2004.  During his tenure as department head, ASU’s department was name one of the top 21 undergraduate physics programs in the nation by Physics Today.  His physics expertise is in solid state physics, and he has published six technical articles as well as made 11 technical presentations before scholarly groups.  He was 2011 vice president of the Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. 

He has chaired nine ASU committees during his academic career and served on 10 others.  Additionally, he served from 2003-09 as faculty sponsor for the Student Government Association.  He has been ASU chapter sponsor and regional president of Alpha Chi National Honor Society as well as served on ASU’s Student Services Committee, Recruiting/Retention Task Force, Student Life Committee and Student Fee Advisory Committee. 

Wallace earned his B.S. in electrical-electronic engineering from Texas Tech University and then attended the University of North Texas, where he earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics.