DePauw Named Dean of WSU Graduate School

PULLMAN, Wash. — Karen P. DePauw, interim dean of the Washington State University
Graduate School since 1997, has been named dean effective July 1, Provost Gretchen M. Bataille
announced.
A professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, DePauw was associate dean of the Graduate
School from 1989 to 1997. She also has been serving as associate vice provost for academic
affairs since 1995.
“Karen DePauw is a respected teacher and researcher with considerable understanding of
both WSU and graduate education,” Bataille said, adding that DePauw has been effective in her
leadership roles in the Graduate School.
“Karen has been instrumental in revising the graduate program review process, in initiating a
number of new graduate award categories, and in increasing the number of graduate school
applications,” the provost said.
“She has worked closely with the Office of the Provost to plan new faculty and new
administrator orientation as well as graduate student orientation each fall, and she will continue
in that role,” Bataille indicated.
“Karen will continue to work closely with the vice provost for research to ensure that the
importance of both research and graduate study remain closely connected,” the provost added.
“As a research university, WSU must give high priority to graduate education,” DePauw
said. “I look forward to working closely with graduate faculty and the administration to increase
the scope and visibility of graduate education at WSU.”
DePauw replaces Robert V. Smith, who left WSU in 1997 to become vice provost for research
and graduate education and graduate school dean at the University of Connecticut. When Smith
left, his responsibilities for graduate education and research were split and George Hedge was
hired for the separate position of vice provost for research.
DePauw began her career teaching in Los Angeles public schools and at California State
University, Los Angeles, joining the WSU faculty in 1980. In 1986, she received the Burlington
Northern Faculty Achievement Award at WSU for teaching excellence, an honor now known as
the Sahlin Award.
A respected scholar in physical education and sport for individuals with disabilities, she is
the co-author of the textbook “Adapted Physical Education: A Developmental Approach” and
author of the book “Disability and Sport.” Recent publications have focused on female athletes
with disabilities, social context and sporting bodies, and disability rights.
During the 1993-94 year, DePauw served as president of the National Association of
Physical Education in Higher Education and is editor of its journal, “Quest.” In 1995, she was
elected president of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Ability. She was elected to
membership in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 1997.
She earned her doctoral degree from Texas Woman’s University, a master’s from California
State University, Long Beach, and her bachelor’s degree from Whittier College in California.
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