NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

5/30/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Dr. Anthony Scheffler has been named acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwestern State University. His appointment has been approved by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Scheffler replaces Dr. Thomas A. Burns who is retiring June 30.

Dr. Scheffler has been Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Information Systems since last year. Scheffler was appointed as Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Information Systems in 2000.

"During his tenure at Northwestern, Dr. Scheffler has been a contributor to the overall welfare of the University," said Northwestern president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "He is an effective teacher and administrator, and he has been engaged in a variety of scholarly activities. He stresses collegiality in his relationships with faculty, staff, and other administrators, which I consider to be very important. He shares my vision for making Northwestern a university of distinction, so we will continue to encourage high standards in all facets of the University's operation, and to strive for excellence in all that we do. We want this fine university to be the institution of choice for discerning students and their parents. Then, we want to be the best at teaching and serving them."

Scheffler joined Northwestern's faculty in 1992. He was Director of the Intensive Summer Graduate Program and an Assistant Professor in the College of Education from 1992 until 1997. Scheffler was promoted to Associate Professor of Education in 1997. At Northwestern, Scheffler has taught graduate and upper level courses in research, instructional design, evaluation and reporting and statistics.

In 1993, he was named Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Scheffler was also Director of Academic Computing and Distance Education in 1997-98, and Coordinator of the Educational Technology doctoral program in 1995-96.

"I want to carry on the good work that Dr. Burns initiated over the past seven years," said Scheffler. "I also want to set mutual goals with the Faculty Senate and work cooperatively to achieve these goals. With this in mind I want to ensure that open lines of communication are in place between faculty and the administration."

Scheffler hopes to use technology to standardize some processes at the
University.

"In addition I hope to expedite the processing of paperwork in order to facilitate University operations." Scheffler said. "I also want to work to aggressively meet the needs of students."

Scheffler's accomplishments include developing the Intensive Summer
Graduate Program which brought a large number of graduate students to Northwestern from throughout the United States. He also reorganized the former Computer Center, now the Office of Information Systems, into a more efficient and expanded operation, emphasizing administrative, educational and support services.

Since 1997, Scheffler has worked with student leaders to oversee the student technology fee which has generated more than $5 million to create computer labs across NSU campuses and provide funding for additional educational technology.

Scheffler has overseen the installation of fiber optic cabling in the majority of its academic buildings and is working with the Director of Telecommunications to complete the wiring process in the remaining buildings.

He has also worked to develop Northwestern's role as Louisiana's leader in the delivery of electronic classes. While serving as Dean of Graduate Studies, enrollment in the graduate school has increased steadily.

Most recently, Dr. Scheffler, working with faculty and staff representatives, coordinated the development of the University's student retention plan,

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