[006]TSU’s VANOSDALL JOINS MTSU AS MATH & SCIENCE CENTER DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919, or lrollins@mtsu.edu

TSU’s VANOSDALL JOINS MTSU AS MATH & SCIENCE CENTER DIRECTOR
New Hire Brings Leadership in Math, Science & Technology Ed, Provost Says

(MURFREESBORO)—Dr. Frederick “Rick” Vanosdall will join MTSU’s College of Basic and Applied Sciences faculty July 11 as director of the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, reported Dr. Kaylene Gebert, MTSU provost.
The Lansing, Mich., native replaces Dr. Ray E. Phillips, former TMSTEC director, who retired in December. Under Vanosdall’s leadership, the role of the TMSTEC director will be expanded.
A member of Tennessee State University’s faculty since 2005, Vanosdall most recently served as director of TSU’s Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences. In that role, he developed and lead the implementation of an array of research and service efforts within the center and among academic and research divisions at TSU in areas such as early childhood education, P-16 teacher development and student achievement, undergraduate pedagogical and curriculum reform efforts, and education research and policy efforts at the local, state and national levels, among other areas.
“We are delighted to have Rick Vanosdall join MTSU,” Gebert remarked. “As a leader in math, science and technology education, Rick's experience will blend beautifully with many of our ongoing projects in these areas.”
Regarding his decision to accept the TMSTEC directorship, Vanosdall said, “The first reason I sought a position with MTSU was because of the wonderful people that are MTSU. Over the past few months, I have enjoyed developing collegial relationships with various faculty and staff. As we’ve worked on activities, I’ve had the opportunity to meet staff and faculty in many departments within MTSU. I immediately noticed the positive and helpful culture across the campus. Everyone smiles and demonstrates a genuine commitment to serving others. “The second reason,” he continued, “is the encouragement and high value placed on progressive and innovative initiatives. MTSU is a community of diverse individuals coming together to build on the strengths of one another for the common good within the university community, across Tennessee, nationally and internationally. I want to be a part of a community that demonstrates their commitment and accountability to one another through constructive, progressive, and innovative relationships.” Upon joining the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at MTSU, Vanosdall said one of the key challenges he looks forward to most is working with faculty, staff and administrators to assess the center’s strengths to refine its vision, mission and plan for P-16 education in science and mathematics. “I want to meet with faculty and administrators to help me develop a coherent understanding of where we’ve been, where we are and where we’d like to go as a community of learners across the science and mathematic disciplines,” he shared. “Then, with a clearly explicated foundation, we’ll be positioned to continue and strengthen the successful projects we already have in place, and move forward to capitalize on past successes and extend ourselves beyond our current level of knowledge and experience.” “As MTSU broadens its leadership role, Rick will strengthen our ability to secure important grants and develop research data and models,” Gebert noted. Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean of MTSU’s College of Basic and Applied Sciences, said “We are excited to have his energy, enthusiasm and creativity at MTSU” Prior to serving as director and interim director of TSU’s Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences, Vanosdall worked as a research director and principal investigator for the center. Before his move to Tennessee, was an assessment, curriculum and instruction specialist with the Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Ariz., and as associate director for research at Northern Arizona University’s Arizona K-12 Center, which is a statewide school and academic improvement organization. Vanosdall also worked as a lead science teacher for the Mesa Public Schools system at Red Mountain High School for 11 years and at Mountain View High School for four years, as well as an outdoor education instructor in Michigan for two years in Michigan. In addition to numerous professional activities and affiliations, he was one of 40 North American recipients of the David L. Clark Research Award in Educational Leadership from the University Council for Educational Administration in ’03 and one of 22 chosen from eight countries to receive an Intel Science Teacher Award. Vanosdall received a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource and environmental education from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in ’04 from ASU. Vanosdall and wife Kim, a high-school teacher in Williamson County, will continue to make their home near Spring Hill with son Grant, who will be a freshman at MTSU in the fall, and daughter Wesley, who will be a high-school junior.

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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To secure a jpeg of Vanosdall for editorial use, please e-mail your request to Lisa L. Rollins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at lrollins@mtsu.edu.