Walter H. Gmelch, interim dean at Washington State University’s College of Education, has recently been appointed to the position of dean of Iowa State’s College of Education.

“Walter Gmelch’s appointment as the dean of the College of Education is great news for Iowa State University,” said ISU President Martin Jischke in a press release.

“He brings an outstanding record of accomplishment in teacher education, research and educational leadership to the college,” he said.

The 14-member committee that helped choose Gmelch was composed of Iowa State staff, faculty and students, said Edwin Lewis, ISU associate provost.

Although the final decision to appoint Gmelch was made by Provost John Kozak, Lewis said the committee’s favorable recommendations of Gmelch played an important part in the decision.

“He impressed people he met with and who heard him speak about understanding higher education,” Lewis said. “He had a strong track record.”

Gmelch earned a B.A. in political science in 1969 from Stanford University, California; an M.B.A. in 1971 from the University of California, Berkeley; and a Ph.D. from the Educational Executive Program in 1975 at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Since his college years, Gmelch has been busy as a faculty member at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash.

For the past 17 years, Gmelch has served as director of teacher education and certification and director of administrative programs for college and associate dean.

Throughout his time at WSU, he chaired two departments — educational administration and supervision and educational leadership and counseling psychology — and served as interim chair of a third, kinesiology and leisure studies.

Gmelch began serving as interim dean for Washington State’s College of Education in August of 1997.

Iowa State Associate Dean of Education Larry Ebbers said Gmelch is looking forward to working at Iowa State and has already been to the campus twice for visits with faculty and staff.

“He’s very excited about his appointment,” Ebbers said. “He thinks we have an excellent opportunity.”

When Gmelch’s appointment becomes effective on July 1, Camilla Benbow, interim dean for Iowa State’s College of Education, will return to her position as professor of psychology.

Ebbers said Benbow was not among the three candidates who were interviewed for the position.