Marietta, Ga. (May 17, 2011) – Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) has selected Dr. Thomas Nelson, professor and department head of biology at North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU), to serve as the next dean of the School of Arts and Sciences beginning July 1.

Prior to joining NGCSU in 2008, Dr. Nelson served for 14 years as professor and director of the Environmental Biology Program at Eastern Illinois University and five years as chair of the Biology Department at Arkansas Tech University. Dr. Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in ecology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Dr. Nelson’s research specialties are in wildlife ecology and directing undergraduate research, areas to which he has contributed over 30 professional papers and 70 presentations at conferences and workshops.

Dr. Nelson is replacing Dr. Alan Gabrielli, who is retiring from SPSU after more than 33 years of service to the university.