FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Donald R. Bobbitt has been appointed interim dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, effective July 1, officials announced today.

Bobbitt replaces Randall B. Woods, who resigned earlier this month as Fulbright College dean to return to his professorial duties full time, conducting research and teaching and completing his biography of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Bobbitt has served as the associate dean for research of Fulbright College since September 2000, and he has served as the department chair of chemistry and biochemistry as well as professor of chemistry since 1993. He started his career at the U of A in 1985 as an assistant professor of chemistry.

"I am delighted that Don has accepted our offer to become interim dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences," said UA Provost Bob Smith. "Following my meetings with the Fulbright chairs, directors and staff, it became apparent that Don would bring the right balance of skill and broad understanding to the post. In my view, he is the right person at the right time for the Fulbright College and we expect that the college will continue -- during the interim period -- with the momentum developed during Dean Woods' tenure as dean. I am very grateful for Don's willingness to serve the Fulbright College and the University in a special way."

Bobbitt said he is excited and privileged in being chosen as the person to continue the University’s rich research tradition of the Fulbright College.

"I am extremely honored to be chosen to serve the faculty and students of Fulbright College as interim dean," he said. "This is an exciting time to be associated with the Fulbright College. We have before us a number of significant opportunities that will help define this college’s legacy. I look forward to working with the administration during this significant period in the history of the college and University."

As interim dean, Bobbitt plans to spearhead Fulbright College's goals in accordance with UA Chancellor John A. White's vision for 2010.

"The college’s strength derives from its faculty, and I look forward to working closely with them," Bobbitt said. "I plan to enhance research productivity as we move to meet Chancellor White’s goals for the University in terms of its research and educational mission. I look forward to the opportunity to more closely work with Provost Smith and gain a deeper understanding of the nature of academic administration and with Chancellor White as he positions the University toward the goals of the 2010 Commission."

Fulbright College is the largest academic entity at the University. With 19 academic departments, the Fulbright College enrolls 40 percent of the 15,795 students who attend the University.

With his years of experience in teaching and research, Bobbitt has been on the receiving end of many honors and awards for his expertise in both of those arenas.

In addition to being named 1994 National Speaker for the Society of Applied Spectroscopy, he was elected to the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy in 1991, received the 1991 Alumni Association Award in Teaching and won the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award in 1991. He also received the Camile and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Teacher-Scholar Fellowship from 1988-93.

Bobbitt has written and assisted in writing more than 50 publications and has been an invited speaker at more than 100 lectures and presentations throughout his career. He has served as a consultant for Shell Chemical Company and Sanyo Chemical Company, and he is currently a consultant for PDR-Chiral Inc., a Channel Partner of Hewlett Packard.

He earned his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in 1985 from Iowa State University in Ames, and he holds a bachelor of science degree with high honors in chemistry from the U of A in 1980.

He has been involved with funded support, including educational and equipment funding for research of over $8 million from national corporations and organizations -- including the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

He is the husband of Susan Bobbitt, manager of the costume design shop for the UA drama department. They have both been loyal patrons of the UA fine arts programs for many years. His oldest son Justin is currently a sophomore at the University.

- 30 -