4:11 p.m., Sept. 8, 2008----John Sawyer, UD professor of business administration, will now serve, in addition to his teaching assignment, as Faculty Fellow in the University's Office of Graduate and Professional Education.

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Sawyer, who was appointed to this part-time position on Sept. 1, will direct professional education initiatives for a three-year term, in keeping with goals identified in the University's new strategic plan.

“It is very satisfying that the University strategic planning committee and President Harker embrace excellence in professional education,” said Sawyer, who is a member of the University Strategic Planning Steering Committee. “I am thrilled to accept the task as faculty fellow to help develop professional education initiatives that will build upon the University's strengths and offer opportunities on UD's Path to Prominence^TM.

Sawyer, who has been an outspoken advocate for professional education and engagement with the business, nonprofit and government communities, added that he is looking forward to collaborating with deans, department chairs and directors to strengthen existing programs and create new partnerships across the campus. He added that he will pursue partnerships with external institutions, with the aim of identifying opportunities for high-profile professional education initiatives.

Conrado (Bobby) M. Gempesaw, dean of UD's Lerner College of Business and Economics, said that Sawyer, in his new position, will play a key role in helping the Lerner College attain some major goals within the next few years. He added that Sawyer's skills and background ideally serve the position.

“I know that John will play a key role in promoting professional graduate education at the university level,” Gempesaw said. “He will help the Lerner College pursue its strategic Path to Prominence^TM priorities in this area.”

Sawyer, whose tenure with the University began in 1991, when he joined the Lerner College as an assistant professor, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach; a master's degree in counseling education from California State University, Fresno; and a doctoral degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

In the Lerner College, he served as departmental chairperson from 2001-06 and is credited with spearheading several new programs, including the entrepreneurship venture in the college's MBA program.

He has published more than 30 journal articles, book chapters and technical reports and has been a guest presenter at numerous professional conferences.

Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photo by Kathy Atkinson