April 10, 2009
Owens is Applied Sciences and Arts’ interim dean
The appointment requires ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees.
When the college reorganized in 2005 from seven departments to four schools, Owens was the first director of the School of Architecture. He became associate dean in December 2007.
Owens replaces Paul D. Sarvela, who is Southern Illinois University’s vice president for academic affairs.
Owens, 55, served three years in the U.S. Army as a construction draftsman prior to coming to SIUC as a student in 1977. He earned an associate of applied science degree in architectural technology in 1980, a bachelor of science degree in advanced technical studies in 1981, and a master of science in education in 1984, all from SIUC.
After his graduation, Owens worked locally for Fisher/Stein Architects and taught at SIUC as a term faculty member. He became an assistant professor in 1986 and was promoted to associate professor five years later. He became chairman of the then-Department of Applied Arts in 1993.
Owens said he is “very pleased” to be taking over as interim dean. It is too early to determine whether he will be a candidate for the permanent position, he said.
“I’m very proud to be a part of this University and I want to continue to serve the students and facilitate the faculty,” he said.
Owens believes his 16 years of administrative experience will serve him well as interim dean. In 1993, CASA offered primarily associate degree programs but now offers mostly baccalaureate degree programs and recently began offering several master’s degree programs.
“I know the history of the college and I also have an understanding of what our previous dean was trying to accomplish,” he said. “I hope to continue moving the college forward until a permanent dean is appointed.”
Owens and his wife, Brenda, are natives of Auburn, in central Illinois. The couple has two sons, Zachary, currently serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed in Afghanistan, and Matthew, who earned a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago and is working for Goss/Pasma Architects in Evanston.
A search committee for a permanent dean is in place and will advertise the position in a national search through mid- to late summer. The committee will screen applicants and conduct interviews during the fall semester with hopes of making a recommendation by the end of the fall semester.