Two faculty members have been appointed interim deans of the College of Liberal arts and the School of Graduate Studies and Research during a national search to fill the positions.
Two Cal U faculty members have been appointed to serve as interim deans during a national search to fill the positions.
Dr. William Biddington, a professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, has been named interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
He fills the post that will be vacated Jan. 22 by Dr. Stanley Komacek, who accepted a new position as Special Assistant to the President for Academic Programs. In his new role, Komacek will oversee development of high-demand academic programs and shepherd them through the approval process.
Biddington a certified athletic trainer, joined the Cal U faculty in 1976 and was chair of his department from 1988-2009. Since 2004 he has been the university's NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR).
In 2015, Biddington received the Cal U Alumni Association's John R. Gregg Award for Loyalty and Service to the university.
Dr. Yugo Ikach, a professor in the Department of Music and Theatre, will become interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts in late March, when current dean Dr. Mohamed Yamba retires.
Ikach joined Cal U in 2004. He became chair of the Music Department in 2012 and co-chair of the combined Music and Theatre Department in 2016. He is director of choirs at Cal U and, since 2005, principal conductor and music director of the Washington (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra.