Larry Lyon Named Dean of Graduate School

April 20, 1998

Dr. J. Larry Lyon, professor of sociology and acting associate dean of the Graduate School at Baylor University, has been appointed dean of the Graduate School by Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr. The appointment is effective June 1.
"Larry brings outstanding leadership skills to the Graduate School at a critical point in its history," Sloan said. "His involvement with Baylor's Council of 150 and the 1994-96 self study, coupled with his experience as associate dean of the Graduate School, have prepared him well for this new role as the university seeks to strengthen its commitment to graduate education. I look forward to working with him."
"I am very enthusiastic about the appointment of Dr. Lyon," said Dr. Donald D. Schmeltekopf, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Baylor. "He has given a great deal of thought to the Graduate School, and he has a strong vision for the future. I have full confidence that he will do an excellent job."
A 1971 graduated of Baylor, Lyon earned his master's degree from the University of Houston and his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. He began teaching in Baylor's sociology department in 1975 and was awarded the Outstanding Tenured Professor Award in 1988 and Panhellenic Council's Outstanding Professor Award in 1994.
"I am very pleased and excited about the appointment," Lyon said. "I think the Graduate School can play a very important role in enhancing the academic reputation of the university."
Lyon, who also serves as director of Baylor's Center for Community Research and Development, is the author of The Community in Urban Society and served as editor, along with Roland Warren, of New Perspectives on the American Community. His articles have appeared in such publications as Social Science Quarterly, The Southern Baptist Educator and Christian Scholars Review. His survey results on "Waco Opinions on Mt. Carmel: Waco Area Attitudes After the Fire" were presented on CNN and ABC and published in a variety of publications.
Lyon also has served as a consultant for numerous businesses and organizations including the cities of Waco, Tyler, Odessa and Dallas, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Central Power and Light, American Airlines, Southwestern Bell and the Red Cross. He is a past president of the Southwestern Sociological Association and will become president-elect of the Southwestern Social Science Association in 1998-99.