Richard Andrews will still teach in the College of Education.
Richard Andrews, dean of MU’s College of Education, decided he will step down in May 2005 after more than a decade on the job. The announcement was made Monday by Provost Brady Deaton in a letter to MU’s Council of Deans and faculty in the education department.
“His investment in creating an exciting learning environment is deeply appreciated by the entire campus community,” Deaton said in the letter.
Andrews, who became dean in 1993, will continue to work for the school as a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
In his letter, Deaton said a national search will be conducted to hire another dean. Andrews was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Andrews is an expert in educational administration and specializes in decision-making, school and community relations, and instructional leadership.
Mike Pullis, associate dean for graduate and international studies in the College of Education, said the faculty will miss Andrews’ energy and leadership.
Pullis said he worked closely with Andrews and was aware that he was thinking about stepping down.
“He feels like the college is in good shape,” said Pullis, who praised Andrews for increasing research funding and improving programs while he was dean.
Deaton also thanked Andrews for his contribution in developing the math and science education programs and distance-education initiatives.
In January, the college received $2 million, the largest gift in its history, from MU alumni Harold Hook and Joanne Hunt Hook. The money will be used to create the first endowed dean’s chair at MU, as well as a center for educational leadership.