SRU names Dan Bauer dean of the College of Liberal Arts
BAUER
May 25, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa - Slippery Rock University has hired Dan Bauer as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He will join the University July 3.
Bauer is currently the department chair and a professor in the writing and linguistics department at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. At GSU, Bauer leads nearly 60 full-time faculty members in a department that is one of roughly 30 independent writing departments in the country.
"Dr. Bauer is going to provide excellent leadership and direction for the College of Liberal Arts," said Philip Way, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. "He's worked at a number of institutions and gained experience that will give him the ability to chart a course forward for the College and for liberal studies. He's got plenty of ideas that will get productive conversations started and he'll be able to present alternative ways forward."
Prior to joining Georgia Southern in 2013, Bauer served 17 years as a faculty member at three institutions: Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia; Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa; and Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York.
"I am excited by the deep commitment and generous collaboration found in the professional community at Slippery Rock University," Bauer said. "I look forward to joining the campus' tradition of engagement and excellence in order to help transform student lives for the better. SRU's College of Liberal Arts will always play an essential role in helping students build successful lives and careers in professions that are enriched by deep aesthetic and theoretical understanding."
As dean, Bauer will lead a college that is comprised of 11 departments in areas of fine and performing arts, humanities and social sciences, as well four programs. Bauer replaces Jennifer Keller, who served as interim dean since June 10, 2016. Keller, a professor of dance, will resume her role as an instructor and assistant to the dean.
"Dr. Bauer impressed the search committee with his experience, his communication skills and his ideas," said Keith Dils, dean of the College of Education and chair of the search committee that hired Bauer. "He clearly enjoys working with people and is passionate about the liberal arts. He will bring a lot of energy to the job and I know he will be an excellent fit for the College and the overall Slippery Rock University community."
Bauer's research interests bridge many disciplines, with a focus on writing assessment and literacy; the intersection of composition and epistemology; and the legacy of public educational institutions with regard to racial equity, opportunity and curriculum. He has published in several journals, including College Composition and Communication and The Journal of Business and Technical Communication. He currently serves as research publication editor for the Association of Middle Level Education, which includes oversight of Middle School Journal.
Bauer earned his doctorate in rhetoric and professional communication from New Mexico State University, his master's in English from Southern Illinois University and his bachelor's in English from Simpson College.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu