Thomas Dison to serve as interim dean of students at UT Austin during search and selection process

May 30, 2001

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AUSTIN, Texas—Thomas Dison, associate vice president and director of recreational sports at The University of Texas at Austin, will serve as interim dean of students at the University during the search and selection process for a permanent dean of students. Dison's interim duties begin on Aug. 4.

Vice President for Student Affairs James W. Vick said Dison is not, and will not, be a candidate for the dean of students position. He said the University's goal is to interview finalists for the position during the early fall and to make a selection as soon as possible after the interviews.
UT Austin Dean of Students Sharon Justice announced in February that she will retire on Aug. 3 after working 24 years in the Office of the Dean of Students, including having served since 1985 as associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

Vick said Dison was asked to serve as interim dean because he has an excellent relationship with the students and staff, and his work has earned him the confidence of the Office of the Dean of Students. Dison also will continue to serve as associate vice president and director of recreational sports during this interim period.

"I'm very grateful to Tom for his willingness to take on the extra responsibilities, and I'm confident the transition will be smooth," Vick said.

Dison said his role as interim dean will be to bridge the gap between "the outstanding record that Sharon Justice has put together and the arrival of a new dean of students."

Dison received his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Davis in 1971, and his master’s degree in recreational administration at California State University in Sacramento in 1974. He began work at UT Austin in 1974 as assistant director of recreational sports and served in that role for four years before becoming associate director from 1978 to 1988. He was appointed as director in September 1988 and became an associate vice president in July 1997.

For additional information, contact Dr. James W. Vick, vice president for student affairs, at (512) 471-1133.