Assistant dean named for Douglas campus

After serving nearly a year as interim assistant dean, Michael Hardie will take over as assistant dean of the Western Nevada Community College Douglas campus.

College president Carol Lucey appointed the 19-year veteran math teacher to the position Monday.

"I feel fortunate to be working with the people at the Douglas campus," Hardie said. "They create an atmosphere of genuine concern for WNCC students and each other."

In addition to teaching math, Hardie has served in a number of positions since joining the staff in 1981.

He served two terms as a faculty senate chairman, one term as the chairman of the math department and was the chairman of the interim accreditation self-study committee in 1995.

It was this involvement that led Bus Scharmann, dean of the Fallon campus and extended programs, to recommend Hardie's appointment.

"Mike has a lot of knowledge about the Douglas campus. He has a real interest in that campus," Scharmann said. "He's just been a real vital part of the whole operation down there for the past two years."

Hardie holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mathematics and completed a doctorate in educational leadership in 1990.

As assistant dean, Hardie will be responsible for developing the class schedules, hire the part-time faculty, manage the facility and continue relations with the Douglas community and industry.

Scharmann said one of the main responsibilities will be to continue the growth at the campus. He said in the last six years, the campus has doubled enrollment of full-time students.

Hardie said he is up for the challenge.

"We have a very committed advisory board of 15 individuals from Douglas, including Lake Tahoe, and they will help us chart our course as far as curriculum and fund-raising," he said.

Hardie will continue a part-time teaching load of 12 credits for the coming school year in addition to his administrative duties.

Although an internal search was conducted and Hardie had to go through the interview process, Anne Hansen, director of marketing and information, said Hardie was an easy pick.

"It was really easy for the president and the dean to appoint him because he's shown that he's been willing to walk the extra mile," Hansen said. "It's good when our own faculty can move up and fill these administrative positions.