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August 25, 2000

ULM names Rakes interim provost

Dr. Thomas Rakes, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, has been named ULM's Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Rakes' appointment was approved Friday by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. As Provost, Rakes will serve as the Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of the University. The Colleges of Allied Health and Rehabilitation Professions, Business Administration, Education and Human Development, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Pure and Applied Sciences will report directly to Rakes.

"We are pleased to announce Dr. Tom Rakes as our Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs," ULM President Lawson L. Swearingen, Jr., said. "Dr. Rakes has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout the years he has served our University as Dean of Education and Human Development, and most recently, as Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. His diverse educational background, his extensive administrative experience in higher education, his ability to develop highly-productive cross-disciplinary teams, and his understanding of the key role that technology must play in information/education delivery in this new century will help ULM to realize our strategic vision for academic affairs."

Rakes came to ULM in 1995 as Dean of the College of Education and Human Development following an extensive national search. As Dean of Education, Rakes provided key leadership during the NCATE national accreditation review of that College. When that process was complete, NCATE cited ULM's College of Education for its programmatic excellence.

As Education Dean, Rakes oversaw the restructuring of that College and implemented a comprehensive plan for technology-based education. Last year, this effort resulted in national recognition by the Milken Exchange of Education Technology which named ULM in the top 4.2 percent

nationally in Education Technology. Also during his term as Dean of Education, Rakes helped position ULM to play a pivotal role in the Delta Rural Systemic Initiative (DRSI) a five-year, $4.6 million dollar grant supporting standards-based math and science instruction in the Mississippi Delta impacting both students and teachers in one of the nation's most poverty-stricken regions.

In July 1999, Rakes assumed the post of Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. In this role he led the University to a record $10.3 million in extramural funding. He also initiated a series of external program reviews designed to assist the academic departments offering graduate programs across the entire University as part of long-term planning for this key area.

Rakes has amassed an impressive record of service to the academy:

Rakes has authored or co-authored 24 books and more than 80 refereed articles and book chapters since 1972. Two of the books are among the top selling titles in the field of Special Education. He has also served as administrator for over $5.3 million in externally funded projects during his tenure at ULM.

Prior to joining the faculty at ULM, Rakes served as director of research and development and department chair at The University of Memphis.

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