Western Appoints Dean Of Health Sciences

William James Weese has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at The University of Western Ontario for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2004. Weese is in his second and final five-year term as the Dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor. He began his career at the University of Windsor in 1986. He has served in a number of administrative capacities in his career as Director of Campus Recreation, Acting Director of Athletics and Recreational Services, Director of the Kinesiology Co-operative Education Program, and Dean of the Faculty. Raised in Dresden, Ontario, Weese received a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor; a Master of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor; and a PhD from The Ohio State University. His many leadership roles have included secretary-treasurer and past president of the Canadian Council of University Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators, past president of the North American Society of Sport Management, Academic Colleague for the Ontario Commission on Interuniversity Athletics, and Chairman of the Research Committee for the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association. Weese's academic specialization is in the field of sport management, and specifically in the area of executive leadership in sport. He is a Research Fellow of the North American Society for Sport Management and he was presented with the Dr. Earle F. Zeigler Honour Award in recognition of his leadership, scholarship and service in the area of sport management. He was also awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal from the Government of Canada for his leadership and contributions to his field of study. "Health Sciences is one of Western's most complex and multi-disciplinary Faculties, and I'm sure Jim is the right person to realize its full potential. We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to become its next Dean. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership provided by Betsy Skarakis-Doyle as Acting Dean since July 1, 2003," says Greg Moran, Western's Provost and Vice-President (Academic). As Dean, Weese will provide leadership and strategic direction to a Faculty with 180 faculty members in the Schools of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Kinesiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. The Faculty is also home to some of Canada's most innovative research initiatives, including the Canadian Centre for Activity & Aging, the R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation Exercise & Pregnancy Laboratory, the International Centre for Olympic Studies, the Canadian Language & Literacy Research Network, and the National Centre for Audiology. For more information, please contact Greg Moran at (519) 661-3110 or Christine Roulston, Communications and Public Affairs, at (519) 661-2111, ext. 85165.