For immediate release: May 23, 2011

BLOOMSBURG — A former interim dean at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania will return on July 11 as dean of BU’s College of Liberal Arts.

James Brown, currently dean of Arts and Sciences and professor of English at Mansfield University, served BU for five years as assistant dean, associate dean and interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

He also headed BU’s teacher education unit from 2008 to 2009, coordinating the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) reaccreditation efforts.

“Dr. Brown’s blend of administrative and teaching experience, along with his knowledge of Bloomsburg University, will allow a quick and successful transition when he arrives in July,” said BU President David Soltz. “I personally thank Dr. Julie Kontos for her leadership during the past two years as the College’s interim dean. Our students have benefitted from her perspective and the direction she provided.”

Earlier in his career, Brown was a professor of English at Charleston Southern University, where he also directed the honors program. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University.

BU’s College of Liberal Arts includes these departments: anthropology; art and art history; communication studies; economics; English; history; languages and cultures; mass communications; music, theater and dance; philosophy; political science; psychology; and sociology, social work and criminal justice.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.