- Deborah Whitehouse
RICHMOND, Ky. (May 10, 2012) – Dr. Deborah Whitehouse has been named dean of Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Health Sciences, and Betina Gardner has been named dean of libraries at Eastern Kentucky University.
A long-time chair of EKU’s Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing, Whitehouse had served as interim dean of the college since October 2011.
“Throughout her 28-year tenure at Eastern, Dean Whitehouse has demonstrated great leadership ability and has achieved an exemplary record of scholarship and service,” said Dr. Janna Vice, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Dean Whitehouse is committed to growing enrollment, enhancing retention, and diligently addressing assurance of learning in the College of Health Sciences.”
Whitehouse has been instrumental in developing two doctoral programs at EKU, and she served on the Kentucky Board of Nursing’s committee to draft the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nursing regulation (and) worked with EKU colleagues to develop and gain approval for EKU’s DNP, Vice said.
“Most recently, she has supported our Occupational Therapy program in its preparation and planning for the Occupational Therapy doctorate,” which was approved April 26 by EKU’s Board of Regents and will go before the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education for final approval this summer.
Prior to becoming interim dean, Whitehouse had served as associate dean of the college since 2001, at first part time and then full time 2006-11. From 1985 to 2006, she chaired the EKU Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing.
Whitehouse received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky, her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina, and her doctoral degree at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Gardner joined EKU Libraries in 1995, and has served in a variety of capacities, including interim dean since July 2011.
“(Gardner) has been a constant advocate for improving library services, and has demonstrated impressive leadership ability, an eagerness to embrace change, and a clear vision for the future of EKU Libraries,” Vice said. “Her goal has been to make the library a destination for students. She was part of the creative team that developed the vision for the nationally renowned Noel Studio for Academic Creativity. From 2008 to 2011, she served as public services coordinator, supporting and guiding many initiatives that improved services to faculty, students and staff.”
Gardner also has served on numerous university committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee in 2002 and again 2009-11.
A native of West Liberty, Gardner earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Berea College and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Kentucky.
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