Arthur M. Horne, who has served as interim dean of the University’s College of Education since Jan. 1, has been named permanent dean of the college.

Horne was one of five finalists identified in a national search to succeed Louis Castenell, who stepped down as dean Dec. 31. Arnett C. Mace Jr., University senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, announced Horne’s appointment Wednesday effective July 1.

“Life-long education, from early childhood through learning in retirement, is critical for the health, welfare and happiness of people, and the College of Education at UGA is committed to promoting excellence in learning opportunities,” Horne said.

Horne has been on the college faculty since 1989 and served four years as head of the college’s department of counseling and human development services. An internationally recognized authority on group counseling and therapy and early intervention for at-risk children, he held the title of Distinguished Research Professor.

After retiring in 2006, he was granted emeritus status and was director of the college’s Educational Policy and Evaluation Center until his appointment as interim dean.

“We are extremely pleased to have found within our own ranks the best person to assume this leadership role at the University of Georgia,” said University President Michael Adams. “Andy’s distinguished record as a scholar and teacher, and his outstanding experience, commitment and accomplishments as a faculty member, eminently qualify him to be dean. We look forward to the College of Education achieving new heights of excellence under his leadership.”

Mace cited Horne’s “superb leadership of the College of Education” while serving as interim dean. “His outstanding academic achievements, prior administrative experience and strong support of the college through his leadership, scholarship and consensus-building abilities will enable him to continue to enhance the quality of the college’s programs,” Mace said. “I look forward to working with Andy to strengthen the college and the university by building on the quality programs of the college during his tenure as dean.”

Horne is widely known for his scholarship on troubled families and ways to prevent and deal with male bullying and aggressive behavior. He is co-author or editor of 11 books and manuals, many dealing with family counseling and therapy and bullying, and has made more than 200 presentations at professional meetings including 35 international programs.

Since 1999, he has received more than $6 million in grant support from the Centers for Disease Control as principal investigator for a research project on violence prevention in middle schools. He also received more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education for a project to train teachers for early intervention with at-risk children.

Last year, he was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association’s Division of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology-his sixth time to be named an APA Fellow. He previously was named an APA Fellow at-large and in the divisions of Counseling Psychology, Family Psychology, Group Psychology and Psychotherapy, and Psychology of Men and Masculinity.

- UGA News Service