Long-time academic dean Dr. James O. Standley, who recently retired after more than three decades of service to Stephen F. Austin State University, will offer the commencement address during summer graduation ceremonies Saturday, Aug. 13.
Standley most recently served as dean of graduate studies and coordinator of the Office of Institutional Accreditation at SFA. He joined the SFA faculty in 1979, serving as founding dean of the College of Applied Arts and Sciences. When it merged with the College of Liberal Arts in 2006, he became the first dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. Before returning to teaching in 2007, Standley was the longest serving dean at any public university in the state.
Standley earned his Bachelor of Science in sociology and psychology from SFA in 1965 and received his Master of Art in criminology from SamHoustonStateUniversity in 1968. He then earned his doctoral degree in sociology from TexasA&MUniversity in 1973 and is a 1985 graduate of the Harvard University Management and Leadership in Higher Education Institute. In 1995, he was honored as TexasA&MUniversity’s Outstanding Sociology graduate.
During his tenure at SFA, Standley has served as dean or interim dean of four colleges, including the College of Applied Arts and Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Fine Arts. His retirement from SFA was effective July 31.
SFA commencement ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at William R. Johnson Coliseum. More than 500 degrees will be awarded, including 355 bachelor’s degrees, 140 master’s degrees and seven doctoral degrees. More than 30 students will graduate with honors, including 19 cum laude, four magna cum laude and nine summa cum laude.
