Douglas Nelson, associate dean of Coastal Carolina University's College of Natural and Applied Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college. Nelson will hold the position from May 15 until the conclusion of the 2002 fall semester while Valgene Dunham, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, serves as interim provost.

Nelson, professor of geology and marine science, joined the Coastal faculty in 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Minnesota in 1968 and a Ph.D. in geology from the University of South Carolina in 1973. Nelson has served as associate dean since 1999.