Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 22, 1994 TAG: 9404220200
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``If you look at a basketball or football team, not everyone is doing the same thing, but they're a much more potent force because they support each other,'' he said.
Stephenson, who has taught at Tech since 1978, said as dean of the college he hopes to ``mold a diverse and talented faculty into a team whose members are dealt with openly ... and whose views are respected.''
As head of the Bradley department of electrical engineering since 1990, Stephenson has promoted communication and teamwork. He established a departmental advisory board that meets annually to guide the department's plans.
He also created a newsletter to improve alumni relations. Stephenson said he views alumni as an effective tool to reach parents, state legislators and the public.
``Sometimes faculty is not fully aware of the public's needs. We have a mission to help economic growth, provide a source for engineers for the corporate sector ... [and] keep parents informed. Alumni are good advocates to open dialogue.''
Stephenson said he wants to continue to develop young teachers, as he did while serving as dean of engineering's research and graduate studies program from 1986 to 1990.
``The younger faculty members really represent the future of this department. They make a big commitment to this university and the more experienced faculty needs to do everything they can to make them better teachers and succesful reasearchers.''
In making the announcement, Provost Fred Carlisle said Stephenson "is ambitious for the college and will not be satisfied with the status quo."
Stephenson came to Virginia Tech from England, where he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Durham, and a doctorate from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
His immediate plans include meeting with the 54 engineering faculty members and with alumni and legislators. He tackles a department with 5,000 undergraduates and more than 1,300 graduate students.
Stapehson succeeds Wayne Clough. Clough resigned as dean in July 1993 to become provost of the University of Washington.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.