Friday, March 21, 2003

Aust named to dean's post at CCSU

One of the professors who has helped define Clayton College & State University for more than 25 years has been named the new dean of the College of Information and Mathematical Sciences.

Dr. Cathie Aust, professor of mathematics, began her new role Mar. 1. Since coming to the then-Clayton Junior College as an assistant professor of Mathematics in 1975, Aust has been a key part of the growth of the one-time junior college that became Clayton College & State University in 1996 right around the time Aust was named head of the Department of Mathematics.

"I am honored by and excited about my appointment as Dean of the College of Information and Mathematical Sciences," said Aust. "Faculty and staff across the campus have responded to the announcement of my appointment with messages of support and congratulations; I appreciate every one of these and will do my best to live up to the faith they have expressed in my ability to meet the challenges of the position."

A native of Clayton County (she was named Star Student for Clayton County in 1964) and a current resident of Fayetteville, Aust is a prime example of a Southern Crescent student who stayed local and contributed to the success of innumerable students throughout the years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Georgia in 1968, Aust earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics from Emory University in 1973. She served as an instructor of Mathematics at Georgia Tech from 1972 to 1974, and as an assistant professor of Mathematics at Georgia Tech from 1974 to 1975 before taking the same position at Clayton Junior College.

In 1977, Aust was named coordinator of Mathematics and was subsequently promoted to associate professor (1980) and full professor (1985). In Sept. 1994 she was named acting head of the Department of Mathematics, becoming head of her department in 1996.

Clayton State's College of Information and Mathematical Sciences was created as the New College for Economic and Community Development in 1998. The college's name was changed to better reflect its current mission in the fall of 2002.

"Combining the Departments of Information Technology and Mathematics to create a new academic unit offers many opportunities for collaboration between the two areas and sets the stage for the development of new baccalaureate and Masters degree programs in Mathematical and Computing Sciences," said Aust. "I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the faculty from the two departments as we create a shared vision for our new unit and its place in the University. I also look forward to working with the Provost and my fellow deans, both current and yet to be appointed, as we create new academic programming within and across academic units.

"We are in a time of unprecedented growth for Clayton State, and it is a privilege to part of the leadership team to guide this growth."

In addition to administering her department for more than 25 years and teaching dozens of sections of Mathematics courses on every level over the years, Aust has served both the University and the University System of Georgia on more than 20 committees and task forces while making more than a dozen professional presentations. A member of the American Mathematical Society, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Mathematical Association of America (where she has served as chair of the Southeastern Section), the Association of Women in Mathematics, the American Association of University Women, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (a Life Member), Aust was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America three times and was included in the 10th Edition of Who's Who of American Women.

Aust is married to Tomie R. Aust, who retired in 1993 after more than 30 years of teaching at Lee Street Elementary School in Jonesboro. The driveway in front of Lee Street Elementary was named "Aust Drive" as a retirement gift to Tomie Aust. The Austs have one daughter, Jennifer. A National Merit Scholar and Star Student of Fayette County for 2002, Jennifer Aust is a freshman at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., where, in addition to double majoring in mathematics and German, she sings in the Women's Chorus and is a member of the rifle team.