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Ken Peterson named Dean of Faculty


Last updated February 6, 2017

By News administrator

Furman University Economics Professor Ken Peterson, who has taught at the university since 1990, has been named dean of the faculty.  He assumes his new position immediately.

Peterson, who will report to Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost George Shields, had served as Furman’s interim dean of the faculty since July 1, 2016.  He is responsible for the management of Furman’s undergraduate residential academic programs, and will share responsibilities with the provost for recruiting, supporting and evaluating faculty.

“Ken Peterson is the perfect person for this role,” said Shields.  “He was unanimously selected by the faculty last spring to be interim dean, and he has been a key driver of The Furman Advantage. I have been tremendously impressed with his energy, integrity and passion. He provides much needed continuity as we implement our strategic vision, so that every Furman student will have a great education and be prepared for life after college.”

Peterson joined the Furman faculty in 1990, and has been actively engaged in strengthening the Department of Economics and contributing to the quality of the student experience, leading the design of an integrated curricular and co-curricular pathway for students. He also served as chair of the department from 2004 to 2016. A recipient of the Alester G. Furman, Jr. and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Teaching, he has served on a wide range of university committees including several related to strategic planning.

Peterson’s research interests include the economics of athletics at liberal arts colleges; community economic development strategies and income distributions in Greenville and Upstate South Carolina; and the valuation of environmental and community amenities. He has a long history of community engagement and mentoring students to be involved in the community. From 2004 to 2012, he served as the director of Urban Studies at Furman.

For more information, contact Furman’s News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.

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