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Last modified: Thursday, March 8, 2007

Robert M. Goodman named dean of IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007

Robert Goodman

Robert M. Goodman has been named dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Indiana University Bloomington.

Print-Quality Photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert announced today (March 8) that Robert M. Goodman, a renowned community health development expert, will become the next dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at IU Bloomington, pending approval by IU trustees.

Goodman is a professor and chair of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. Subject to confirmation at the April 6 Board of Trustees meeting, his IUB appointment will begin on July 1.

"Bob Goodman is a highly respected academician. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his work in the behavioral and community health sciences," said Herbert. "He also has a leadership style that unites diverse faculty interests behind a shared vision. I am delighted that Bob is joining the IU family and am very confident that he will build on the strong leadership traditions retiring Dean David Gallahue has established within the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation."

Goodman succeeds Dean David Gallahue, who is retiring after a five-year tenure as dean and more than 35 years of service as an administrator and faculty member of the school. Gallahue is credited with notable growth within the school, particularly in the areas of student enrollment, total credit hours, external funding and the diversification of the faculty in terms of gender, race and ethnicity.

Goodman's appointment follows a search that began last May with the appointment of a 12-member search committee led by Dan Smith, dean of the Kelley School of Business.

"Bob Goodman has demonstrated through his leadership positions a charisma and creativity well-suited for his role as dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation," said Michael A. McRobbie, president-elect of IU and interim provost of the Bloomington campus. "His skills and talents are particularly important now as the school joins the university in working toward goals involving the life sciences, public health, international education and academic excellence."

When Goodman becomes dean, he will assume leadership of the third largest academic unit on the Bloomington campus, with its 250 full-time and part-time faculty and 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. In the midst of a year-long celebration of its 60th anniversary, HPER is comprised of the departments of Kinesiology, Applied Health Science, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, all of which have top-ranked programs. The Division of Campus Recreational Sports received accolades from Sports Illustrated on Campus for its offerings and boasts a high participation rate by students. HPER has a broad range of research centers, institutes and outdoor educational facilities, as well as international exchange agreements with 17 institutions.

"HPER is the oldest school of its kind in the nation," Goodman said. "It has a wonderful tradition with accomplished faculty and staff, and has been well positioned for a bright future. It is for all of these reasons that I am proud to become the new dean. I look forward to working in partnership with colleagues in the school, university and throughout the state."

Before his current position with the University of Pittsburgh, Goodman held an endowed professorship at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, directed a Center for Community Research at the Wake Forest University Medical School and held senior administrative positions in county health departments.

Goodman received his doctorate from the University of North Carolina's School of Public Health in 1987. He earned his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Hawaii.