FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bernard Madison, since 1989 the dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, today submitted his resignation to Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Daniel D. Bennett, effective June 30. Madison will return to the faculty full-time as professor of mathematical sciences.

Madison said he took this step "because I believe it to be in the best interest of the University, Fulbright College, and my family."

On Bennett’s recommendation, UA Chancellor John A. White has appointed Randall B. Woods, distinguished professor of history and a UA faculty member since 1971, as interim dean of the Fulbright College, effective July 1. Woods served as associate dean of the Fulbright College from 1979-82.

A search committee for a new dean will be appointed in the fall and charged with conducting a national search, White said.

"Bernie Madison has done a fine job of enhancing the quality and reputation of the Fulbright College as well as the University," White said. "His accomplishments include development of an excellent honors program, the prestigious Sturgis Fellowship program, the Middle Eastern Studies program, new interdisciplinary academic centers, strengthened academic departments and, most recently, the Fulbright Peace Fountain.

"Dean Madison feels it is time for a change," Bennett added. "I have worked with him for many years and respect his leadership and commitment to both the University and the Fulbright College. We wish him well, knowing our students will continue to benefit as he returns to the mathematical sciences faculty full-time."

Woods, 54, is the John A. Cooper Professor of American History (since 1984) and Distinguished Professor (since 1995). His most recent scholarly work, Fulbright: A Biography (Cambridge University Press, 1995) won the 1996 Robert H. Ferrel Prize for best book on American foreign relations and the 1996 Virginia Ledbetter prize for best book on Southern studies. It also was nominated for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

"Dr. Woods is well-respected and well-liked both on campus and in his discipline nationally," White said. "I will look to him to provide strong leadership until we have our new dean in place."

Woods said, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve both the Fulbright College and the University, and look forward to continuing to build on Dean Madison’s fine record."

Woods earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

He is the author of six other books and scores of scholarly articles and book chapters. A National Endowment for the Humanities Senior Fellow in 1981, he has continued to stay active in the NEH, most recently serving on its dissertation grant panel. He also has served the Fulbright Exchange Program as a member of the American History selection committee.

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