Gilbert Hunt has been named dean of the College of Education at Coastal Carolina University, effective immediately, according to an announcement by Coastal Provost John Idoux. Hunt will be responsible for all administrative aspects of the college, which has 24 full-time faculty members. He has served as interim dean since August 2000, when former College of Education Dean Dennis Wiseman was named associate provost at Coastal.

Hunt, a professor of education at Coastal, joined the university’s faculty in 1975. A native of Tabor City, N.C., he earned a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University in 1969, a master’s degree in 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1975, both from the University of North Carolina.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Gilbert Hunt’s long experience and dedication to lead the College of Education,” said Idoux. “Coastal’s College of Education plays a vital role in our county, state and region by training teachers for our classrooms, and Dr. Hunt will continue to set high standards for the college.”

During his career as a Coastal professor and administrator, Hunt has held many key leadership positions in the College of Education. He has been chairman of the Department of Professional Programs in Teacher Education and co-director of the Center for Excellence for Standards- Based Education. He is also past chairman of Coastal’s Faculty Senate.

He has published numerous scholarly articles and books during his academic career. He is coauthor of The Middle Level Teachers’ Handbook: Becoming a Reflexive Practitioner and Effective Teaching: Preparation and Implementation, both published by Charles C. Thomas Ltd.

In February 1999, Hunt was honored in a resolution by the South Carolina House of Representatives for his achievements as an educator and a scholar. The resolution commended Hunt for “outstanding teaching and the great impact he is having on the lives and careers of his students.”

Hunt received the Distinguished Teacher/Scholar award from the Board of Visitors of Coastal’s College of Education in June 1998.