IUS welcomes three new leaders to campus

Jul 25, 2010 — The Evening News and The Tribune

Tara Hettinger

Jul. 24, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- > SOUTHERN INDIANA -- Indiana University Southeast is preparing to start the fall semester with three new leaders on campus.

The school just announced the appointment of two new deans and a chief information officer. Joe Wert has been named dean of the School of Social Sciences and Samantha Earley has been named dean of the School of Arts and Letters. Tom Sawyer will take the CIO position.

Gilbert Atnip, vice chancellor of academic affairs, said he's excited to be working with the new deans.

"It's easy to get into the old thing of we've always done it this way. Having another person who says we can think about doing this differently ... it can be helpful," Atnip said of having new leadership at the two schools.

Earley, who has worked as an associate professor at IUS, said she's excited about her new position. She said she hopes to be a voice for the faculty. However, she said she doesn't foresee any big changes.

"I bring to the role a desire to do things collaboratively and my personality is such that I like to operate by consensus," she said.

Wert has been at IUS since 1999. He's served as coordinator of the political science program for 7 years and Faculty Senate President for 2 academic years.

Wert will replace Cliff Staten. Earley is taking over after Annette Wyandotte. Staten and Wyandotte are both still with the university as professors.

"We've been moving along quite well over here. We're having some changes in key positions, but the momentum is all in the right direction," Atnip said.

Sawyer's background includes being the vice president of information technology at University of Louisville. There, he restructured and transitioned the department to accommodate changing technology.

"IU is delighted to have an experienced, higher education IT professional appointed as CIO at IU Southeast. The campus has long played a leading role in the educational and economic development of the region, and Tom's experience can ensure that progress continues," said Brad Wheeler, vice president for information technology and CIO at Indiana University.

Sawyer said he's excited to start working with the campus to shape the future direction of the school's technology services.

Sawyer will begin work July 26. Wert will begin his term as dean Aug. 1. Earley started in her position July 1.

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