Daniel Freedman to be appointed dean of School of Science and Engineering at New Paltz
03/29/2012
NEW PALTZ - Daniel Freedman will be appointed dean of the School of Science and Engineering at the State University of New York at New Paltz on April 2. Freedman has served as interim dean since August 2011, and previously, as chair of the chemistry department from 2001-2009. He was chosen after a national search to succeed Daniel Jelski, who served as dean for four years.
“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Daniel Freedman as the next dean of the School of Science and Engineering at New Paltz,” said the university’s president Donald P. Christian. “He has demonstrated strong leadership and administrative contributions in positions of increasing responsibility, along with an impressive record of accomplishment as a faculty member. Dr. Freedman is well qualified to bring our science and engineering programs to the next level of excellence.”
Dr. Daniel Freedman
In this position, Freedman will manage and direct the School of Science and Engineering, including undergraduate and graduate programs in astronomy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental geochemical science, geology, mathematics and physics. “Having taught in the School of Science and Engineering for over 12 years, I have a deep appreciation for the dedication of our talented faculty and staff and the high quality and diversity of our students,” Freedman said. “I am honored to be selected as dean and I look forward to working with the entire campus community, alumni and friends to enhance and expand our programs.”
Freedman brings extensive experience in administration and the advancement of student and faculty collaborations in research to his new role. As professor and chair of New Paltz’s Department of Chemistry, he was very active in research, teaching and administration. He implemented significant departmental changes, including the hiring of four faculty and two successful tenure decisions, the addition of interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Geochemical Science and Biochemistry and the complete overhaul of the chemistry curriculum.
“I have been enormously impressed by Dan Freedman’s performance as interim dean of the School of Science and Engineering, and I'm delighted that he's been selected as Dean of the School of Science and Engineering,” said Cheryl Torsney, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at New Paltz. “He brings to the Dean’s office a commitment to instruction and student-faculty research, a creative approach to collaborating with business and arts communities, and a vision for growing the STEM disciplines at New Paltz. Under Dan’s proven leadership, I expect great things from the School of Science and Engineering.”
Freedman has served on multiple internal and external committees, including the Presidential Search Committee from 2010-2011, the Middle States Standard 11: Educational Offerings Committee and the Honors Program Ad-Hoc Review Committee from 2010-2011 as well as the Undergraduate Research Symposium Committee from 2001-2006. He has been actively involved in the Mid-Hudson Section of the American Chemical Society, serving as chair, past-chair and, for the past four years, section coordinator for National Chemistry Week.
Freedman is the recipient of a 2009 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Prior to joining New Paltz’s faculty in 1999, he was an assistant professor at Bard College. He received his doctorate in inorganic chemistry from the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s in chemistry from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.
Founded in 2001, the School of Science and Engineering adheres to the highest standards in the teaching of science, mathematics and engineering and promoting scientific discovery, innovation and research and the practical application of research for the local, national and global betterment of humanity. An integral part of the School’s mission and focus is on student and faculty partnership in research. The results of these research efforts are evident in both the sustained output of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications and faculty and student presentations at regional, national and international professional meetings and conferences.
Located in the heart of a dynamic college town, 90 minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
One of the most well-regarded public colleges in the nation, New Paltz delivers an extraordinary number of majors in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts and Education.
New Paltz embraces its culture as a community where talented and independent minded people from around the world create close personal links with real scholars and artists who love to teach.
