Darbeau, Warden named new deans at UAFS

Dr. Ron Darbeau has been named dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Dr. Ken Warden was promoted from associate vice chancellor of workforce development at UAFS to dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Both appointments are effective July 1.

Warden came to UAFS in July 2014 following a 17-year stint at the Ozark campus of Arkansas Tech University, where he served as the chief business and community outreach officer since 2009. Prior to that, he worked as the business and industry coordinator at ATU-Ozark and also taught automotive service at the university.
 
“I am truly honored to serve as the dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) at UAFS,” Warden said. “The college has a long history of working with businesses and communities within our region to improve the lives of those we serve. Thanks to the progressive work of Dr. Georgia Hale and Dr. Leroy Cox, CAST is nimble and primed for opportunity.”
 
Warden holds a bachelor’s degree in vocational education and a doctorate in workforce development education from the University of Arkansas. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from ATU.
 
Darbeau has worked at McNeese State University since 1996, initially as an assistant professor. He worked his way to the title of professor before becoming the head of the Department of Chemistry in 2002, and became the head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics in 2012.
 
He has garnered a number of awards during his career, including the Dean’s Teaching Fellowship Award from the Johns Hopkins University, where he began his career as an instructor and research associate. He was named McNeese’s Distinguished Professor in 2003, the same year he earned a Pinnacle Excellence Award from the university.
 
In 2013, Darbeau won the “President’s Tough but Good Award” at McNeese for outstanding instruction, and he was elected last year as a fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS). He has also served on a number of national committees, including the ACS Committee on Professional Training, which oversees undergraduate chemistry education across the United States.
 
“Rarely have I encountered an institution with so much promise and potential as UAFS. I am tremendously impressed by the programs and by the people. The enthusiasm of the students, faculty, administrators and community liaisons is almost infectious,” he said. “I am absolutely thrilled and energized about joining the UAFS family and will work relentlessly and honestly to justify the faith and trust placed in me.”
 
Darbeau earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the West Indies, and earned master’s and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from the John Hopkins University.
 
Warden replaces Dr. Georgia Hale, who was promoted to provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UAFS in July 2014, with Dr. Leroy Cox serving as interim dean. Darbeau will replace Dr. Mark Arant, who left the university in July 2014 to become provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern State University, with Dr. Jim Belcher serving as interim dean.