September 6, 2001
Troy, N.Y. — Thomas M. Apple, professor of chemistry, has
been named dean of graduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute in Troy, N.Y.
As dean of graduate education, Apple will have institutewide
oversight of the doctoral and master’s degree programs. He will
be responsible for assuring the overall quality of the graduate
programs and assisting the academic schools in achieving their
graduate education and academic missions. He also will
coordinate the review of all existing and new graduate
programs, administer graduate education policies, and provide
administrative oversight to the graduate school. He will
continue to teach and conduct research in his new
position.
“Professor Apple is an extremely well qualified candidate with
extensive experience in graduate education and research. He
brings with him an outstanding record of scholarship and
interaction with graduate students along with considerable
administrative experience,” said President Shirley Ann
Jackson.
“We in the graduate office are committed to the pursuit of
excellence in our graduate programs, and to establishing
Rensselaer as a leader in biotechnology and information
technology,” said Apple. “We are dedicated to developing
programs that will attract the best and brightest students and
to creating a community that provides our graduate students
with the tools to become world experts with a world
view.’”
Apple, a resident of New Baltimore, N.Y., received his B.S.
from Penn State University in 1976 and his Ph.D. in physical
chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1981. Prior to
joining the Rensselaer faculty in 1991 he was a professor at
the University of Nebraska.
Apple has served as chair of the chemistry department since
1997. He also has served on advisory panels at the National
Science Foundation in Analytical Chemistry, in Chemical
Education, and in Nanomaterials. In addition, he participated
in the review of the Department of Energy’s program in
Heterogeneous Catalysis. Apple was awarded the Rensselaer
Trustees Outstanding Teacher Award in 1996.
Contact: Patricia Azriel
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A