Acorn

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jessica Glickman Steven Roberson, now an associate dean at Butler University, spoke to a crowd of faculty and students on Wednesday in University Center 107. Roberson is one of three final canididates for the position of Dean of the College.

Tilting his rimless rectangular glasses down his nose, Steven Roberson, an associate dean at Butler University, introduced himself to a crowd of faculty and students on Wednesday afternoon. "Inspired by the recent presidential campaign, I would like to announce my candidacy for Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts," Roberson said with a laugh.

The talk was set up to get student and faculty feedback on the three final candidates for the deanship, with the other two candidates to visit campus in the next few weeks. Current Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts Paolo Cucchi will step down from his 25-year deanship at the end of the semester.

Search Committee Chair and Chair of the History Department Perry Leavell introduced Roberson as an "excellent prospect," for the position. Salt-and-pepper-haired Roberson first discussed why he wants to be a part of Drew. "Drew has a fine reputation as a strong liberal arts center," he said. Roberson, who is a music professor and coordinator of piano pedagogy at Butler, was also inspired by President Bob Weisbuch's plans for Drew. "He is a masterful writer," he said. "His vision is unparalled."

Roberson spoke about his academic history as well. He obtained his Ph.D. in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, his Master of Music degree at Texas Christian University and a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Alaska. The business degree, Roberson said, began as a curiosity. "When it's 40 below outside, you think of new ways to spend your time," he said. The management courses, Roberson said, were what really sparked his interest. "I figured out how to work with people," he said.

Roberson also used his history at Butler to show how he could help Drew. Leading a review of core curriculum at Butler, Roberson knew how difficult the undertaking can be, and sympathized with the majority faculty crowd, who are in the process of reworking Drew's general education requirements. "I am all about core curriculum change," he said, "and I'd help to the extent you'd want."

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