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By Eugenia Johnson
Staff Writer
ejohns14@my.westga.edu
Don Rice will be leaving his position as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to become a chair in the psychology department next fall. Klay Kieh, who was a professor in the Department of Political Science at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, chaired the Department of Political Science at Morehouse College and served as Dean of International Affairs at Grand Valley, will succeed him.
Rice began his journey at the University of West Georgia in 1978, almost 31 years ago, as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. He has witnessed the achievements and growing pains of the university, but one thing that has not changed is his love for this university.
"I love the University of West Georgia-- the campus, the people. Diversity has enriched the university and community. UWG attracts excellent faculty at a faster rate because of our emphasis on teaching," said Rice.
As the Dean of the COAS, Rice oversees 16 academic departments in addition to the Townsend Center and the Writing Center. In an effort to operate the departments more efficiently, Rice divided the COAS into three academic divisions: math and science, foreign language and literature, and social science. He then hired three associate deans to oversee those academic divisions: Duane Yoder for math and science, Denise Overfield for foreign language and literature and Jeffrey Reber for social science. These positions were implemented to improve administrative accessibility and response time to answer student and faculty concerns.
"The faculty really cares about our students. It provides a great learning environment."
He also enforces university policies and procedures while advocating for resources and ensuring faculty and students have everything they need.
"It's a joy to come into work every day, " said Rice, "I will miss the relationships with the staff and the designated parking."
Rice had administrative experience prior to becoming interim dean in 2007. He held the COAS interim dean position from 1995 to 1996 and was vice president of Academic Affairs from 1998 to 2000. He attributes "knowing the art and skill of communication and being flexible as the key characteristics to success."
Rice believes "students should treat each course as an opportunity to broaden their educational experience."
After his departure, he encourages the future dean to continue the Global Studies Program which focuses on global issues such as human rights. The interdisciplinary program also offers an opportunity to study abroad.
According to the department website, "Global Studies empowers us to see beyond our experiences, to understand the holistic nature of human interconnections. It utilizes a wide range of intellectual disciplines to broaden our understanding of our world and our place in it."
Rice earned his B.A. in psychology at Wafford College. During his undergraduate years, he "learned how to learn" and crafted his passion for psychology.
"I love everything about psychology,' he said, "I am most interested in what motivates people and the relationship between mind and body."
Along with psychology, he loves all genres of music and plays the piano. Rice also has a Black Belt in Karate and Tae Kwon Do, and when his children were younger he coached their baseball and softball teams.
"Live life to the fullest," said Rice on his personal philosphy, "This is the only life I have and only I can be responsible for. Others cannot live life for me."
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