A-State Selects Dr. Carl Cates as Dean of New College
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University is appointing Dr. Carl Cates of Valdosta State University to be the first dean of a newly structured college that combines programs in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, media and communication.
Cates currently is associate dean of the College of the Arts at the Georgia institution where he has served on faculty and in academic leadership roles for the past 23 years.
“The programs that comprise this new college are central to Arkansas State's reputation for excellence," said Dr. Tim Hudson, chancellor. ”Dr. Cates brings a depth of experience in these areas that will be very valuable to A-State's further development as a destination university."
Dr. Lynita Cooksey, provost, announced Cates’ selection today, with the appointment taking effect July 1.
“I look forward to Dr. Cates' vision to promote cross-disciplinary innovation and synergy," Cooksey said. "His energetic leadership will play a vital role in assisting Arkansas State with creating and developing new and success-enhancing academic opportunities for students, faculty and staff."
Cooksey also expressed appreciation to Dr. Don Bowyer, dean of fine arts, and Dr. Brad Rawlins, dean of media and communication and interim dean of humanities and social sciences, for their leadership and service given in their respective areas.
"I am incredibly honored to be named dean and eager to begin working with the students, faculty and administration at A-State," Cates said. "I look forward to collaborating in the organization of the new college, developing an innovative strategic plan and promoting the excellent programs of the university."
One of Cates’ initial projects will be guiding the reconfiguration of the three existing colleges into one, and working with faculty, students and staff to select a name for the new college.
A faculty member at Valdosta State since 1993, Cates taught communication arts before becoming area head for speech communication, followed by department head in communication arts, interim assistant dean, and then associate dean.
He has been involved with renovation of mass media and communication facilities, and has worked with faculty members in art, theatre, mass media and languages to attract grants, private donations and in-kind gifts.
Working with his associates at VSU, he helped develop five new degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Cates has authored or co-authored numerous research articles and presentations for professional publications and organizations, and he also has served as executive director of Southern States Communication Association and as a member of the Chair's Advisory Council for the National Communication Association.
The Odessa, Texas, native completed his doctoral degree in speech communication and rhetoric at The Florida State University. His master's and bachelor's degrees are in human communication and mass communication, respectively, from Abilene Christian University.
His list of civic activities includes president of the Valdosta Rotary Club, and he was selected by Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Cates and his wife Kristy are the parents of two adult children, Caleb and Kitra Cates.
Almost 1,700 students were enrolled last fall in the graduate and undergraduate programs of the three colleges.
Departments which will become part of the new college are (alphabetically) Art; Communication; Criminology, Sociology and Geography; English, Philosophy and World Languages; History; Media; Music; Political Science; and Theatre.
Also included will be the Ph.D. Program in Heritage Studies, Fowler Center, Bradbury Art Museum and KASU radio.
