LITTLE ROCK — Bill Schwab plans to step down as dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and go back to writing a book and starting a project in Egypt, he said.
His term as dean for the largest college on the Fayetteville campus ends June 30.
University officials posted an online ad for the position in August, according to the university’s website. Administrators have formed a search committee and are searching nationwide, Faculty Senate Chairman Ro DiBrezzo said Wednesday. Ads for a new dean also will run in national journals and magazines, she said.
The College of Arts and Sciences has about 6,300 undergraduate students and 900 graduate students. It has about 400 full-time faculty members.The overall university enrollment is 21,406.
Schwab took over as dean three years ago after his predecessor, Don Bobbitt, accepted a provost position at another university. Schwab, who is a tenured sociology professor at the university, agreed to be interim dean for one year. He then agreed to serve two more years after a search failed to attract a successful candidate for the position, he said.
Because the recession was deepening, Schwab agreed to serve “during tough economic times,” he said. Now that the economy seems to be recovering, he said, he has no interest in staying in the position.
Schwab earns $180,000 as dean.
University officials hope to have the position filled by July 1, DiBrezzo said. Spokesman Steve Voorhies said no salary range has been set for the position.
Arkansas, Pages 11 on 09/25/2010