Southeastern announces administrative appointments
Press Release Date: 1-4-2011
DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University president Larry Minks has announced three administrative/personnel appointments, to be effective immediately.
Dr. Jerry Polson will assume the role of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Support and Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies. He will oversee the University’s outreach programs as well as lead the graduate education program. His office is located on the third floor (307) of the Administration Building.
Polson, who joined the University in 1969, is a physics professor and was chair of the Department of Chemistry, Computer and Physical Sciences. He earned degrees at Auburn University (Ph.D.), Stephen F. Austin State University (M.S.), and East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-Commerce (B.S.)
Among his many awards and achievements, Polson was named Southeastern Teacher of the Year in 1972; was chairman of the first Faculty-Senate in the late 1980s and served in that capacity again in the 1990s; served as Director of Distance Education and Coordinator of the 2 + 2 program; and since 1996, has served as the Faculty Athletics representative.
Dr. Bryon Clark will serve as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Instruction. Clark’s duties will involve maintaining oversight of the quality and integrity of academic programs. His office is on the third floor (305) of the Administration Building.
Clark joined the Southeastern faculty in 1990. A professor of biological sciences, Clark previously served as Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies. He earned degrees at Kansas State University (Ph.D.), Western Illinois University (M.S.), and Central College-Iowa (B.A.).
Clark has received numerous awards and honors, including the Burlington Northern Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1993; the Southeastern Faculty Senate Recognition Award for Outstanding Research in 1995; and the Southeastern Faculty Senate Recognition Award for Meritorious Service to the University, Profession and Community in 1998.
Both of these positions will report to Dr. Doug McMillan, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In addition, Tony Lehrling was recently selected as Director of Financial Aid. He had been serving as interim director since August 2010. Lehrling earned bachelor and master degrees at Southeastern, and has been employed at the University since 1999.
He previously served as academic coordinator for Upward Bound math-science in the TRIO program at Southeastern. In that capacity, Lehrling was active in the Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance, serving as state treasurer and public relations coordinator.