In 2004, after teaching chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for over 20 years and spending more than five years as department chair, Gordon Anderson moved to ETSU for his new job as dean of the college of arts and sciences.
Now, 16 years later, Anderson has announced his retirement.
When Anderson arrived at ETSU, the fossils at the Gray Fossil Site had just been discovered.
“I’ve seen the whole construction of the Natural History Museum out there,” Anderson said. “We brought geosciences as a department into the college, and now, at the other end of the arts and sciences spectrum, we’re nearing completion of the Martin Center for the Arts.”
During Anderson’s time as dean, ETSU’s College of Arts and Sciences has gone through substantial growth.
“We’ve developed some new majors and minors across the years,” Anderson said. “Maybe the standout one is the bachelor’s degree in bluegrass.”
The development of the bluegrass, old-time and country music degree at ETSU was significant because it was the first program in the world in the area of bluegrass music.
“It was an interesting development of a traditional art form – how it could be translated into an academic format,” Anderson said.
As dean, Anderson describes his job as typically consisting of a number of meetings and various communications around oscillating subjects.
“It’s a variety of things ranging from personnel to budgets to space,” Anderson said. “So, it was never boring. The highlight, though, has been working with so many wonderful people.”
According to Anderson, he initially had no interest in serving as department chair at the University of Missouri-St. Louis; he was enjoying teaching. During his six years as chair, however, he changed his mind.
“I realized I actually quite enjoy the administrative side of things and being able to help other people,” said Anderson.
The transition to dean at ETSU was natural.
“The next step beyond being a chair was being a dean, so it was something I was interested in,” Anderson said.
Anderson’s last day as dean was Aug. 15. Joe Bidwell, chair of the department of biological sciences, will serve as interim dean for the academic year, working with Anderson through the transition until Oct. 31, when Anderson will leave the university.
Bidwell joined ETSU in 2014, where he served as chair and professor of biological sciences. He is the current chair of the Council of Academic Chairs and a member of ETSU and Ballad Health’s Strong BRAIN Institute.
“I don’t think there will be a major change with Dr. Bidwell,” Anderson said. “I think it will be a pretty smooth transition. I know he has the same commitment to trying to make the student experience the best that it can be.”
