Hugh Kellenberger
Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Neal G. Lineback has been named the interim dean of the College of Arts and Science for the 2004-05 academic year, effective July 1.

Lineback, previously scheduled to retire after the 2003-04 year, was asked to take this position for one year while a permanent dean is found.

“It’s a nice cap on my 39-year career,” Lineback said. “It gives me a chance to pay back as an administrator some of the debts I owe to the former administration.”

The position was left open after Dr. Stanley R. Aeschleman, the current interim dean, removed himself from consideration for the position of new dean after Chancellor-elect Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock appointed Aeschleman to the position of interim provost, effective July 1, according to a press release from the university.

“I am really honored to have the opportunity to do this job,” Lineback said.

Lineback has been at Appalachian State University since 1986, when he became chair of the Department of Geography and Planning. He held that position until 1998.

“I intended to serve [as chair] for six years, but ended up serving 12,” Lineback said.

Lineback has previously been in phased retirement.

The selection of Lineback means that an existing chair of a department in the College of Arts and Sciences did not have to be taken out of that department and therefore vacating his/her position, Lineback said.

Lineback hopes to move the college forward during his tenure.

“I am going to ask the departments and their chairs to put together a list of objectives, that are a part of their overall goal, that we can realistically accomplish this year,” Lineback said.

Release time for faculty scholarship is a key issue for Lineback.

“We’re going to make a strong push to get undergraduates, particularly, involved in research,” Lineback said. “In the past we have relied too often on classroom teaching. Towards the end of the major, students need to be able to apply that knowledge to solving problems.”

Peacock said in a press release, “Lineback is aware of the challenges and opportunities facing the College of Arts and Sciences and our university. I look forward to working with him during this period of transition.”

Lineback received his bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, and his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He spent 17 years at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, the last six as chair of his department.

“I always liked Appalachian,” Lineback said. “One day I got a call from a faculty member here asking me if I would be interested, the rest is history.”

Lineback credits Appalachian State University as a “wonderful institution.”
Lineback said, “The advantage to students here is that many of them are better than they even think they are, what they need is mentors and opportunities, so they end up surprising themselves."