Six years after retiring, Tom Schroeder will be the new interim department chairperson in the Ball State University Teachers College.
Schroeder, a former Ball State faculty member and assistant chair of the department, was named the new interim chair for the department of elementary education last week and will start at the new position July 1.
Schroeder said Wednesday that after knowing about the opening position, he believed it was a good opportunity for him.
"I had been working at Ball State for 33 years, and I feel like I still have the energy and the skills to be in the position," he said. "I think it's good for them and good for me. I look forward to doing it."
Schroeder worked at Ball State for 33 years, starting in 1971 as an assistant professor in the department of elementary education and later becoming associate professor. In 1990 he was appointed assistant to the department chair and in 1996 he became acting associate dean. He stayed in that position until 2004, when he retired.
Schroeder will replace James Stroud. Stroud was the department chair for the last three years and will move to a faculty position in the department.
Stroud, whose term ends June 30, said he decided to not seek another term as chair of the department. In in the elementary education department, a person is hired to serve a three-year term. Schroeder's return as chair does not mean any significant changes in the department, he said.
"This is a frequent practice at the university to have someone serve as an interim chair, dean, associate provost, etc.," he said. "The department will continue to operate as it has the past three years that I was chair."
Stroud said he expects Schroeder to bring more knowledge and a professional background to the department.
"Schroeder brings a tremendous professional background to the position," he said. "He is quite knowledgeable in the area of administration and will serve as an excellent interim chair. The department is fortunate that he has accepted the position."
Schroeder said his goal as the chairperson is to continue what Stroud did and develop the department.
"I think Jim Stroud has done an excellent job," he said. "My hope is that I can advance the program, keep it running efficiently. As interim I will do my best job to continue the tasks."
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