Sarah B. Westfall, director of Indiana University's Freshman Interest Groups Program, is slated to become Denison University's new associate dean of students in July (2000). She replaces Robert R. Smith, who died late last year.

A 1985 graduate of DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.), Westfall earned both a master's degree, in student personnel administration, and a doctorate, in higher education, from Indiana University.

At Denison, the associate dean is responsible for residential life, judicial affairs, community development and providing leadership to foster a strong sense of community among students.

"We are very excited to have Dr. Westfall join us," says Sam Thios, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. "She was selected from an extraordinarily strong pool of more than 100 applicants. Her undergraduate experience at DePauw University and her experience working as assistant dean of students at Carleton College will serve her well at Denison. Students, faculty, and staff who met with Sarah during her interview found her bright, energetic, and enthusiastic. Additionally, and especially important in her position, she has a great sense of humor. I'm sure folks will enjoy working with her."

For the past two years, Westfall has been responsible for the initiation and development of a retention program for first-year students at IU, funded by the Lilly Foundation. She also has served as an adjunct assistant professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at IU.

Prior to her current assignment, Westfall was coordinator of admission/financial aid at Ivy Tech State College in Bloomington, served as a assistant at the Indiana Career and Postsecondary Advancement Center (1991-95) and was assistant dean of students at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. (1988-91). She also has taught at IU, Iowa State University and Ohio University.

Westfall is a member of the American College Personnel Association, Association for the Study of Higher Education and the National Association of Student Personnel Administration. She is a former resident of Three Rivers, Mich., where she graduated from Three Rivers High School (1981). Her parents are Tom and Cindy Nelson of Three Rivers.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

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stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575