Emporia State University announced two significant appointments over the past week.
Wednesday, Dr. Sara Schwerdtfeger was named the new dean of the ESU Teachers College. Schwerdtfeger, an ESU alum, brings 25 years of experience to the position including serving as associate dean over the past year during which time she led the college through both state and national accreditation processes, served as the coordinator of the accountability management system, managed the University Copy Center and the Office of Field Placement and Licensure and served on General Education Council and other university committees.
Schwerdtfeger was chosen as the new permanent dean following a nationwide search. Regarding her appointment, ESU Provost Brent Thomas stated in a news release Schwertfeger stood out for her passion for “building upon our foundations as the Kansas State Normal School and advancing The Teachers College into the future.” Thomas added Schwerdtfeger is “deeply committed to Hornet Nation, and I look forward to working with her as she moves into the role of permanent dean in The Teachers College.”
Of her appointment, Dr. Schwerdtfeger stated “Emporia State University will continue as the keystone of education in Kansas and the nation. I am honored to serve as the next dean of The Teachers College.”
Schwerdtfeger holds a bachelor’s degree of science in education and a master of science degree both from ESU as well as a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. She also has endorsements in English as a Second Language from KSU and Building Leadership from ESU.
Before her time at Emporia State, Schwerdtfeger was a classroom teacher at several USD 253 Emporia buildings including Timmerman Elementary School, Lowther North Intermediate School and Riverside Elementary School.
The news of Schwerdtfeger’s appointment was followed Thursday by the announcement that Dr. Tim Burnett had been chosen as the inaugural Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics. Burnett has been a member of the ESU faculty since 2008 serving as an associate professor of biology.
Burnett also served as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at ESU for six years before his new appointment and holds bachelor’s degrees of science in both secondary education and cell biology from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas respectively as well as a Ph.D. in anatomy from the University of Kansas Medical Center.
In a news release from the university Thursday, Provost Thomas stated “The science and mathematics programs at ESU have a long history of providing students with meaningful hands-on learning opportunities and Dr. Burnett is fully prepared to build upon those rich traditions.”
In the same news release, Dr. Burnett stated his excitement for the new position saying, “I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated faculty and staff as we continue to cultivate a transformative college experience for our students. Together, we will build on our strong foundation, driving forward our commitment to academic excellence and making a meaningful impact on both Emporia State University and the surrounding community.”
