MSU names interim graduate dean

The Missouri State University Graduate College earlier this month named Pawan Kahol as interim graduate dean.

Kahol, associate dean for the university's College of Natural and Applied Science, will take the interim position July 1, the same date the current dean, Frank Einhellig, will vacate the job to become the school's associate vice president for research.

Einhellig has served as the dean of the MSU Graduate College since 1992.

Kahol would serve in the interim for a two-year period, with a national search for a permanent replacement scheduled to begin in fall 2012, according to a news release.

“I am looking forward to working with all who have interest in graduate education in enhancing the culture of appreciation, participation and engagement at Missouri State,” Kahol said in the release.

Kahol has served in a range of positions during his career, including:

• associate dean for graduate education at Wichita State University;
• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellow at Stuttgart University, Germany;
• research associate at Stuttgart University; and
• research fellow at the University of West Virginia.

Kahol also has published more than 165 research papers in physics, chemistry and materials science, and he was given the 2009 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching - Missouri Professor of the Year award, the release said.

“I anticipate Kahol will spend much of his first year discussing the opportunities and challenges of graduate education with faculty, students, deans and department heads,” MSU Provost Belinda McCarthy said in the release. “Those discussions will be extremely important in identifying the experiences and expertise needed to provide leadership for graduate education at Missouri State University.”[[In-content Ad]]