Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 34 June 27, 1996 - Worner honored by staff commission

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Worner honored by staff commission

By John Ashby

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 34 - June 27, 1996

The Commission on Classified Staff Affairs recently honored outgoing interim College of Education Dean Wayne Worner with a resolution noting his service to the commission.

The resolution, presented to Worner by commission chair Val Myers, recognized the professionalism, dignity, integrity, and candor with which Worner served as a commission member. The resolution also recognized Worner's dedication to the principle of shared governance at the university. Worner is stepping down after guiding the college through downsizing, and reorganization with the College of Human Resources.

In a letter to College of Education faculty and staff members and students, Worner said "I have never been associated with a better class of individuals. Your resiliency, tenacity, energy, and productivity over the 30 months during which I have been privileged to serve as your dean has been simply awesome."

Worner joined the College of Education at Virginia Tech at its inception in 1971. A former school superintendent, he researched the role of school leaders, advised school superintendents and state agencies on administration issues, and oversaw a major project funded by the Danforth Foundation to prepare principals for the 21st century. During his 25 years at Tech he has served as director of the Division of Administrative and Educational Services, director of the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, special assistant to the dean, and acting dean. In February, 1994, he was named interim dean of the College of Education, to oversee a major restructuring and redesign effort within the college.

Worner will spend the next year at East Tennessee State University where he will fill the James H. Wuilen chair of teaching and learning. In this appointment, Worner will assist faculty members and students with scholarly publications, funded and non-funded research, teach select cross-discipline seminars, conduct forums with educators, and assist the college renewal activities of moving education into the 21st century.