Ron Matson, who has served as interim dean for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University since July 2012, has been named dean of the college by Tony Vizzini, WSU provost and senior vice president.

“After careful consideration of the critical role that the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has in the successful attainment of Wichita State’s strategic goals, and in consultation with key constituencies, I have appointed Dr. Ron Matson as the dean of the college,” said Vizzini.

“I am enthused by Ron’s leadership as the interim dean and am looking forward to working with him and all of LAS to strengthen the role of the humanities, social sciences and the physical sciences and mathematics within our community and throughout the world we influence.

“His leadership over the past 2 1/2 years has allowed LAS to be well-positioned for its role as we advance the Innovation Campus. I look forward to his many contributions,” said Vizzini.

Matson, longtime chairman of the Department of Sociology, was named interim dean when Bill Bischoff stepped down. At that time, Matson was selected from a pool of candidates reviewed by the LAS College Council.

“I am both honored and excited by the opportunity to serve Fairmount College, the fine faculty and staff, and our students,” said Matson. “WSU and Dr. Vizzini have placed a great deal of trust in me, and I relish the challenge.”

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education named Matson the 2011 Kansas Professor of the Year.

Matson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of South Dakota. He attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, for his Master of Arts and doctoral degrees in sociology.

In 1970, he joined the faculty at Wichita State as a member of the sociology department. There he served continuously for 42 years and acted as chairman for 17.