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Florida Southern College names new dean

LAKELAND, Fla. (March 7, 2001) - Florida Southern College (FSC) President Thomas L. Reuschling announced today that Dr. Susan P. Conner has been selected as vice president and dean of the college, a position responsible for hiring faculty members, leading curricular revisions and supervising all academic operations. A history professor, Conner comes to Florida Southern from Central Michigan University (CMU), where she most recently served as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences. She will take over the position at FSC July 1.

FSC began a nationwide search for a new dean in November after Dean Nancy Aumann left to take a position within the New York State University system.  Joan Buccino, professor of economics and Dorotha C. Tanner Chair in Ethics in Business and Economics, has served as interim dean since Aumann’s departure.

 "We are excited about having Dr. Conner join FSC. She was chosen from more than 90 candidates, and we believe she will be a tremendous asset as the college continues its growth in programs and quality," said Reuschling.

About Dr. Conner
Conner received her bachelor’s degree from Armstrong State College in Savannah, Ga., in 1969. She earned a master’s degree in history from The Florida State University (FSU) in 1974 and a doctorate from FSU in 1977.

As associate dean at CMU, Conner fully shared the responsibilities of overseeing eight departments with more than 250 full- and part-time faculty and almost 100 funded graduate students. The college houses five doctoral programs, several masters programs, and has a budget of nearly $15 million. She also served in other roles at CMU including history department chair, chair of the faculty senate, and chair of the Council of Chairs.

Prior to joining CMU, Conner was a full-time faculty member and social sciences department head at Tift College in Forsyth, Ga.  A published author, Conner has contributed to several books in addition to authoring papers and book reviews. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association for Higher Education, the American Association of University Women and the American Historical Society. Conner was listed in Who’s Who of American Women in 1985 and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1969. A member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Conner received the Central Michigan University Excellence in Teaching award in 1991 and was named Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society in 1995.

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