Topic: Administrative

March 31, 2008

Robert Morris has been named associate provost for research and dean of Ball State's Graduate School.

"I am truly honored to be selected for this position," said Morris, a professor of chemistry.

Morris was the chairman of Ball State's chemistry department until last summer, when he was appointed interim associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. After the recent conclusion of a national search, he was chosen for the permanent position.

"We're fortunate to welcome someone like Bob to this position, given his excellent record of scholarship and teaching and his experience as a leader during his career at Ball State," said Terry King, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ball State. "He is a great asset to the university."

Morris began teaching chemistry at Ball State in 1991 and became chair of the chemistry department in 2002. A postdoctoral fellow with the National Institutes of Health at University of California-Berkeley, Morris earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his bachelor's degree from Ball State.

As associate provost for research, Morris will oversee the university's Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Programs. As dean of the Graduate School, he will provide leadership as its chief academic and administrative officer.

"There is an enormous potential for growth beyond the excellent research effort and graduate programs already in place, and I look forward to helping the entire campus community achieve its goals," Morris said. "The university is blessed with outstanding faculty members, professional staff and support staff, and we are well-positioned to move the institution further into the national spotlight."

By Gail Werner