UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 21, Page 1
February 25, 1993
Longtime dean returning to teaching; search under way

     In 1976, it was known as the College of Home Economics and it had an
enrollment of 774 students, with 31 full and 6 part-time faculty, and a new
dean, Alexander Doberenz, the first man to head the college.
     Today, the College of Human Resources is the University's third
largest, with 975 students and 47 full and 26 part-time faculty; and the
dean is Doberenz, though he will step down in June to return to full-time
teaching and research after 17 years' service as dean.
     Serving as dean and helping the college evolve has been a positive
experience, Doberenz says, "though now it's time for new adventures for me,
and new ideas and leadership for the college."
     In 1978, the name of the college was changed to better reflect its
mission and it was reorganized into three departments: Food Science and
Human Nutrition (later renamed the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics);
Individual and Family Studies; and Textiles, Design and Consumer Economics.
     A search is under way within the college for Doberenz' replacement.
Allan Waterfield, dean of the College of Physical Education, Athletics and
Recreation, heads the search committee.
     According to Doberenz, the college's programs are "concerned with
societal needs during the entire life span, from early childhood to the
senior years. Our students receive a hands-on, career-oriented education
through our three departments." The college also has a preschool program
and day-care center for senior adults to complement programs in early
childhood development and gerontology.
     In addition, practicum programs and internships with such institutions
as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, the Johns Hopkins
University Hospital, the A.I. du Pont Institute and others prepare students
for entry-level jobs.
     "Our graduates are much in demand and have meaningful careers, serving
the community," Doberenz said.
     As the college's program has expanded so has the faculty, with
expertise in several disciplines. When Doberenz came to Delaware, there
were two faculty members with doctoral degrees and one full professor.
Today, the majority have doctorates, and there are 12 full professors,
including two named professors-the Amy Rextrew Professor and a Unidel
Professor.
     During Doberenz' tenure as dean, degree programs have been expanded
and revised. Most recently, the hotel, restaurant and institutional
management major has been established, graduating its first class last
June.
     Doberenz, who views the job of dean as being a facilitator-assisting
and supporting talented people in carrying out their jobs and goals-cites
other accomplishments of the faculty and students in the college:

       * Outside funding and opportunities for graduate students have
         increased;
       * The physical plant of the college has doubled with the Alison
         Annex, which houses state-of-the-art, computer-assisted design
         equipment, computer laboratories for faculty and student use and
         storage and laboratory facilities for an historic costume and
         textile collection;
       * The advisement program has been highly successful, with each
         student assigned a faculty member in his or her major, providing
         an opportunity for students to build up a close, working
         relationship with a faculty member, familiar with the college's
         programs; and
       * The loyalty of the alumni association, which has a close
         relationship with the college.

     To a large extent, Doberenz said, the Human Resources Alumni
Association was instrumental in state funding for the Alison Annex through
its efforts with the state legislature.
     When he steps down as dean, Doberenz will go on sabbatical with his
wife, Angela, assistant to the president of the Bartol Research Institute
on campus, traveling to Australia to attend an international nutrition
research conference.
     While there and upon his return, Doberenz will explore possible
cooperative research projects with industrial laboratories.
     Other members of the search committee are Timothy Barnekov, urban
affairs and public policy; Norma Gaines, human resources; Marion Hyson,
individual and family studies; Elizabeth Lieux, nutrition and dietetics;
Frankie Miller, nutrition and dietetics; and Karen Schaeffer, textiles,
design and consumer economics. Catherine Bieber serves as alumni
representative, and Christine Farnandiz is student representative to the
committee.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure