Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences will be led by an administrator, scientist, scholar and teacher from Florida State University.

Dr. Timothy S. Moerland, chair of FSU’s Department of Biological Sciences, will become dean of Kent State’s largest college on May 15, 2008, Robert G. Frank, senior vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost, announced today on the Kent Campus.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to assume this post at Kent State, a major national research institution,” Moerland said. “I firmly believe in the core mission of public universities, and in their value to the nation and the local community.”

At Florida State, Moerland also served as associate dean for Research for the College of Arts and Sciences, primarily responsible for development and coordination of new research initiatives and oversight of contract and grant activity. Both grant and contract funding increased significantly during his tenure, with a large measure of growth coming in collaborative projects between departments and colleges.

“Two of our priorities at Kent State are increased research funding and even more collaborations, both of which mean discovery that benefits our students, faculty, staff and the people of Ohio,” Frank said. “We are pleased Dr. Moerland shares those values.”

Moerland will replace Dr. Jerry Feezel, who has served as interim dean.

“During his visit to Kent State, Tim Moerland impressed faculty with his strong commitment to teaching and his understanding of how scholarship and teaching mutually re-enforce each other,” said Dr. Cheryl A. Casper, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor of Economics. “He has a strong commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, and appreciates the important leadership role this college plays within the university community.  His disciplinary background in biological sciences is a particularly good ‘fit’ for Kent State given that the sciences are an area of strength within the college.”

Moerland’s research interests include biochemical and physiological mechanisms of temperature compensation; muscular physiology and the energetics of muscular contraction; and intracellular diffusion and molecular transport. He received an FSU Developing Scholar Award and a University Teaching Award. He co-holds a U.S. patent, “Biomolecular-based Actuator.”

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science (High Honors) from Michigan State University, and master’s and doctorate degrees in Zoology from the University of Maine.