In July 2014, Gary Morris will be joining St. Edward’s University as dean of the School of Natural Sciences.

The committee, which was led by Dr. Sharon Nell, dean of the School of Humanities, made the decision in February. Other members of the committee included Raelynn Deaton, Eamonn Healy, Michael Kart, Cindy Naples and Bob Wilems.

Morris, who has served as associate dean of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University in Indiana since 2010, is looking forward to his new position at St. Edward’s. After visiting St. Edward’s for the first time  he applied for the position, Morris was impressed by both of the St. Edward’s science buildings.

“I saw the research laboratories with the faculty and the classrooms that could be sort of reconfigured and used for a variety of pedagogical styles, and it just communicated to me a couple of things. One, that the university was going to put significant resources into science education, and two, that the people who designed these facilities really seem to understand what 21st century undergraduate science education should be about,” Morris said.

The search for a new dean began in November 2013 and concluded with the hiring of Morris in February. The search process included multiple interviews, including an initial phone interview, an airport interview and an on-campus interview. Morris’ campus interview took place on Jan. 28, on one of the rare ice storm days this season.

When it comes to his job, Morris is committed to providing faculty and students the necessary tools for them to succeed.

“I really like working with the faculty and the students on projects that interest them and finding ways that the institution can support those projects. Faculty have a lot of responsibilities with teaching and research, getting grants and publishing papers. How can we make their job as easy as possible and get them as many opportunities as possible to pursue their research and their teaching with the greatest efficiency and support from the institution?” Morris said.

As far as the move to Texas, Morris is excited and proud to call himself an adopted Texan. Morris’ wife is originally from Amarillo, and his research has been primarily in Houston for the last decade. When it comes to Texas, Morris sees it as more of a state of mind than just a place.

“Texans seem, when they’re confronted with problems, they just figure out how to solve them. I love that about Texas. Problems don’t seem to be, ‘Well, we can’t do that,’ it’s more like, ‘Let’s figure out a way how to do that,’” Morris said.

After living in Indiana since 2004, Morris is ready to make the move to Austin, where there is great food, barbecue and warmer weather waiting for him. He is also ready to begin the 2014 school year in his new position.

“I anticipate spending a lot of time the first year getting to know  the faculty, the programs, the students, the administrators and identifying the areas where we feel together we can move forward and direct some energy and resources into those areas that fit into the university’s strategic plan,” Morris said.

Nell, the search committee chair, believes Morris is a good fit for St. Edward’s.

“I fully support Dr. Morris’ appointment: his qualifications correspond to the responsibilities of a dean,” Nell said.