Powers Named Acting Graduate School Dean at Baylor

WACO, Texas - Baylor University President Robert B. Sloan Jr. today named Dr. Darden Powers as acting dean of the Graduate School, effective Dec. 14.
Powers, who has been at Baylor since 1961, currently serves as professor and chairman of the Department of Physics and director of the Institute of Biomedical Studies. He formerly served as associate dean of the Graduate School from 1985-92.
"Darden Powers is the ideal individual for this position," said Dr. Donald D. Schmeltekopf, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
"He did a fine job as associate dean and he's very familiar with the operating procedures of the Graduate School, especially those involving graduate assistantships and budget matters. We have total confidence in him and we know he'll do an excellent job."
Schmeltekopf will provide administrative oversight in the Graduate School until Powers assumes the role on Dec. 14. Assisting Schmeltekopf will be Dr. Thomas L. Charlton, professor of history and vice provost for research.
Powers holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the California Institute of Technology. He has numerous publications in physics journals and has been the principal investigator in 17 major research grants. He previously served for two years as president of Baylor's Phi Beta Kappa chapter and was named an Outstanding Professor in 1984.