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Office of University Communications 

Carey Adams named College of Arts and Letters dean

Date: May 4, 2007
Contact: Dr. Belinda McCarthy
(417) 836-4589

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Carey Adams, head of the communication department, has been named the dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Missouri State University. He will begin his new duties as dean on June 1, 2007, pending approval from the Missouri State Board of Governors at the regularly scheduled meeting May 17.

Adams, a professor of communication, has been at Missouri State for 16 years. He has been head of the department since 2001. As dean, his annual salary will be $110,000.

“I am delighted with this appointment,” said Provost Belinda McCarthy. “Although we had three outstanding candidates, I believe Dr. Adams will provide the perspective, expertise and commitment to the College of Arts and Letters and Missouri State University that is needed at this time. The College of Arts and Letters is of critical importance to all of us and I know it will thrive under Dr. Adams’ leadership.”

Adams holds a doctorate in communication from the University of Kansas. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Jewell College. Adams has been recognized by the university for his teaching. His research interests include organizational communication, nonprofit management, research methods, communication assessment and training.

“The College of Arts and Letters is one of the university’s jewels, and I hope to help our faculty and students accomplish even greater things in the years to come,” said Adams. “With our excellent academic programs and many performance, exhibition and outreach activities, the college is committed to the education and enrichment of both students and the surrounding community.

“Having served as a department head for six years, I know the impressive talent of the individuals with whom I will be working, and I am enthusiastic about the future of the college. I appreciate the confidence that members of the college and the provost have placed in me, and I look forward to leading and representing this outstanding group of people.”

Adams succeeds Dr. Adele Newson-Horst, who announced in March that she will resign as dean on May 30 due to health and personal reasons. Newson-Horst’s new duties will include a combination of teaching – she has tenure in the English department – and academic-related administrative responsibilities directed by the provost’s office.