00. 0 • • 00• • 00. 0 • • 0 . 00. 0 • • 00• • 00. 00• • 0 0. 0 000 00. 0 . 00. 00 0 000 00. 0 • • 000 • 0 • • 0 . 0 . 0 O. . 0 . 0 • 0 . 0 . 0 • O. • 00 0 • • • 0 • 00 • 0 0 • • 0 0 0 o . 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 • • • • •• Math professor takes on new adminis~rative role Beginning Aug. 1, there was a new face in the Office of Academic Affairs. Dr. Marry Spears, associate professor of mathematics, was o promoted [0 assistant vice president for academic affairs. "I am very excited and pleased to have Dr. Spears working closely with me," Dr. Larry Long. vice president for academic affairs, said. "He brings ro the office lots of experience in academic leadership and a back– ground in research and analysis that is invaluable." Spears' background included compiling and filing government and accredimtion repocts; he also helped wi th the organization and advance– ment of Harding's assessmem program. "Dr. Spears is ve ry adept at analyzing issues and identifying both the data needed co unders[alld and solve rhe problem and the sources of that data," Long said . "He is very much a self-starter, a hard worker and a get– it-done guy." Spears began his administrative work in 2002 when he took on the Institutional Research responsibilities. He described this position as the "university statistician," reporting official data for federal and state govern– ment agencies. graduation rates to the NCAA and filling our surveys for college review magazines for incoming students to read. Even though Spears was a full-time administrator, he said he would teach one course in the math department every year. "Marty represents the academic, professional and spiritual leadership that Harding University most wants to model," President David Burks said in an e-mail to the faculty. "He already has a great record of service to Harding, and I am confident that he will serve effectively in this new role and strengthen our academic leadership team." Long also spoke highly of Spears' character. "Dr. Spears is a very strong spiritual leader," Long said. "I have worked with him before and have traveled with him to professional meetings so I have seen him in a variety of circumstances. AJways he has impressed me as a thoughtful, kind and prayerful person." From his new office in room 104 of the Administration building, Spears said he would be able to aid students with their concerns. Spears said he would also use his knowledge ofstatistics CO aid in several studies that Hard– ing would be conducting on subjects such as faculty salary, grade inflation and grade distribution. Long expressed his hopes concerning Spears' service as assistant vice president for academic affairs. "1 have high expectations for his ability [0 contribute to our work by improving our practices, adding leadership and supporting our mission," Long said. -Andrew Leeper Or. Marty Spears, assistant vice presi– dent for academic affairs, and his son, Caleb, get ready for Caleb's baptism June 18 at Camp Tahkodah. The Spears family typically spent the second session of camp as counselors or campers. -Photo courtesy of Marty Spears assistant vice presidents, administrative directors 1,= _ _
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