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CONTACT: Susie P. Gonzalez
June 1, 2004
Geosciences
Professor Named to Academic Affairs Position at Trinity University
SAN ANTONIO - Diane Smith, chair and
professor of geosciences at Trinity University, has been appointed to the
position of associate vice president for Academic Affairs for Budget and
Research. She is replacing
Fred Loxsom, who is retiring, but will continue to teach as an endowed
chair in the department of environmental earth science at Eastern
Connecticut State University. Her appointment is effective June 1.
Professor Smith has taught in the department of geosciences at Trinity for 20 years, serving as chairwoman since 1998. She will continue to teach one geosciences course every semester.
Professor Smith said she was excited to move into an administrative position because of Trinity's current "air of optimism." In her new position, she will be responsible for coordinating the Stieren Arts Enrichment, Distinguished Scientists, and DeCoursey lecture series. She also will oversee the faculty grants process and sponsored research office, explore ways to enhance student and faculty research activities at Trinity, and review requests for discretionary funds and capital improvement needs.
Professor Smith came to Trinity in 1984 as an assistant professor of geology and was promoted to associate professor of geosciences in 1990. Previously, she was a teaching and research assistant in the department of geology at Rice University, where she earned a master's degree and a doctorate in geology. Professor Smith holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.
She is active in the Geological Society of America, the American Geophysical Union, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the Keck Geology Consortium. She held the Tom and Mary Turner Junior Faculty Fellowship at Trinity from 1988-90 and won the Rieber Award for Excellence in Teaching at Rice University in 1981. At Trinity, she will serve on the Teaching and Learning Committee until May 2006 and has been on search committees for a number of positions in the Office of Academic Affairs and the departments of geosciences, business administration, and physics.
Trinity University is a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences institution noted for its exceptional faculty and commitment to the comprehensive preparation of its talented student body. It is a learning community that has chartered its course with a steadfast commitment to excellence since it was founded in 1869.
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© 2006 Trinity University