[435]CAREER MTSU PROFESSOR NAMED INTERIM EDUCATION DEAN

CAREER MTSU PROFESSOR NAMED INTERIM EDUCATION DEAN
Diverse Experience Puts Whiteside in Top Post for a Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385

(MURFREESBORO)—Dr. Harold D. “Terry” Whiteside, the new interim dean of MTSU’s College of Education and Behavioral Science, is tackling the year-long appointment with enthusiasm, saying he’s “honored and humbled at this chance because of the great people—students, faculty and staff—I work with here.”
But he also jokes that getting to use the dean’s parking spot behind the McWherter Learning Resources Center is what really sealed the deal.
“I’m like the ‘Kelly administrator.’ They can put me anywhere and I’ll go to work,” Whiteside, a psychology professor at MTSU since 1973, says with a laugh. “I’ve been here so long that I know everybody.”
In addition to teaching popular courses in sport psychology, performance enhancement, interpersonal influence and persuasion during his 36 years at the university, Whiteside, a two-term Faculty Senate president, has served on councils, committees and boards charged with everything from choosing new administrators to ensuring proper accreditation and funding.
He’s also the university’s current NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, serving as a senior adviser on athletics to university president Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and a partner with the university’s Athletic Department on issues of academic integrity, student-athlete welfare and NCAA rules compliance.
Whiteside’s appointment, which took effect May 1, comes as longtime dean Dr. Gloria Bonner takes over the new Office of Community Engagement and Support. The OCES was created to articulate the university's mission and activities to the surrounding communities and provide a listening ear to the needs and concerns of MTSU's neighbors.
“Dr. Whiteside is one of MTSU’s treasures: a respected academic, an experienced administrator, an enthusiastic university advocate and a true friend to students, faculty and staff alike,” McPhee notes. “He can indeed step into almost anyone’s shoes and take charge of whatever situation arises.
“I’m confident that the College of Education and Behavioral Science will be in excellent hands during Dr. Whiteside’s term. The only downside for our students is that he won’t be able to teach as many of his classes as they’ve requested.”
The college includes the Departments of Criminal Justice, Educational Leadership, Elementary and Special Education (including the Homer Pittard Campus School), Health and Human Performance, Human Sciences, and Psychology, as well as special services like the university’s Instructional Technology Support Center, Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia, Project Help, the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance, the Tennessee Early Intervention System and the ESL Enterprise Project.
Whiteside says his strong working relationships and friendships across campus will help him keep the College of Education and Behavioral Science moving forward during the national search for a new education dean.
“I intend to make sure that the college is in such great shape with our programs and our new building and our faculty and students that we can easily pick someone to take the reins and lead us deep into the 21st century,” Whiteside says, specifically anticipating the college’s work with the pilot Teacher Quality Initiative, launching new doctoral programs and implementing new fundraising efforts.
“I’ve committed my entire professional life to Middle Tennessee State University, and if I can help us move forward in any capacity, I’m proud to do it. I’m a big believer in customer service, and students are our primary customers, so we’ll do everything we can do to help them in their academic efforts.”

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IN BRIEF: Dr. Harold D. “Terry” Whiteside, the new interim dean of MTSU’s College of Education and Behavioral Science, is tackling the year-long appointment with enthusiasm, saying he’s “honored and humbled at this chance because of the great people—students, faculty and staff—I work with here.” But he jokes that getting to use the dean’s parking spot behind the McWherter Learning Resources Center is what really sealed the deal. “I’m like the ‘Kelly administrator.’ They can put me anywhere and I’ll go to work,” Whiteside, a psychology professor at MTSU since 1973, says with a laugh. “I’ve been here so long that I know everybody.” Whiteside’s appointment, which took effect May 1, comes as longtime dean Dr. Gloria Bonner takes over the new Office of Community Engagement and Support. The OCES was created to articulate the university's mission and activities to the surrounding communities and provide a listening ear to the needs and concerns of MTSU's neighbors.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.


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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a color JPEG of Dr. Whiteside, please contact Gina E. Fann in the Office of News and Public Affairs via e-mail at gfann@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-5385.

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