FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU APPOINTS NEW DEAN FOR COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS
Sociology Expert Paul Wong Starts June 30

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, June 24, 2003 — San Diego State University today announced the appointment of Paul Wong as Dean for the College of Arts & Letters, effective June 30.

Wong is currently serving as Dean for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he is also a professor of sociology. Concurrently, he has been an adjunct professor in the American Cultures Program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and a faculty associate for the Center for Chinese Studies there. Wong originally immigrated from China to the United States at age 13. His family settled in Berkeley, where he pursued his undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees at UC Berkeley in the early to late ‘60s.

“SDSU has over the last several decades, become a major research university and, at the same time, SDSU has been well known for student success,” Wong said. “The College of Arts & Letters has done extremely well, in terms of research, teaching, and service.”

Wong has served in academic and administrative positions at several prestigious universities from coast to coast over the last 30 years. Among them: the University of California at Berkeley; the University of California at San Diego; the University of Illinois; Arizona State University, and Washington State University. He has published extensively on topics concerning ethnicity and public policy.

“Paul’s rich academic background in public policy, ethnicity and diversity is extremely compatible with the areas of study in our College of Arts & Letters,” said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. “His passion for creating a better understanding of how social phenomena impact local and international relations can only enhance the college.”

Wong plans to further broaden the interaction between the college and the outside environment -- including local communities, businesses, and SDSU alumni -- through academic programs. “I’m interested in seeing how the different disciplines of liberal arts can work together and make progress, in terms of teaching and research.”

Wong succeeds Paul Strand as head of the College of Arts & Letters, who held the post for 13 years – the longest amount of time spent in this position in the college’s history. Strand will take a sabbatical and return to the faculty.
The College of Arts & Letters boasts 46 degree programs within 20 departments, and six interdisciplinary areas. Close to 5,000 students enrolled in the college in 2002.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since its founding in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 79 areas, master's degrees in 64 areas and doctorates in 13. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

Editor’s Note: A downloadable photo of Paul Wong is available upon request. Contact Jennifer Zwiebel at 619-594-4298 or at jzwiebel@mail.sdsu.edu.

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