By Jennifer Pinnock

Dr. Thomas L. Kent began his duties Jan. 1 as the dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Utah State University.

Kent said that the decision to accept this position was difficult because it was a change not only in jobs, but in environment as well, and it meant leaving his home of 17 years.

"Personally, as I weighed all of the factors for this position I realized it was a grand opportunity to come to USU and help to develop programs in graduate studies, not to mention participating in the historical changes occurring with a new president and provost," said Kent.

Kent's primary goal for improving graduate studies is in development. This includes the recruitment of graduate students to USU. Kent would like to find the resources for graduate student support that will make USU competitive with the best research universities around the country.

This support will include efforts to increase the number of fellowships USU can offer and the amount of teaching assistant stipends, along with other issues such as health insurance.

Also, developing new graduate programs and strengthening existing programs are priorities for Kent.

"I want to expand graduate offerings to better serve students and make the programs we have the best they can possibly be," said Kent.

Kent comes to USU after 17 years at Iowa State University. He taught for 12 years in the department of English and served as the department chair for his last five years there. Before teaching in Iowa, Kent taught for two years in at Miami University in Ohio.

Kent did his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and received his Ph.D. from Purdue University. He is married and has one son. His wife, Charlotte Thralls, will teach in the English department in the fall. Kent also has an appointment as professor in the department of English.

USU offers 83 master's programs and 32 doctoral programs. More than 2,000 students are enrolled in graduate studies at USU.

To find out information on application and admittance procedures, financial assistance and graduate programs see the graduate studies home page.

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