Dr. Thomas J. Cheatham, Dean

email:       cheatham@mtsu.edu
web page: http://www.mtsu.edu/~cheatham
office:       159 Jones Hall
phone:      (615) 898-2613
fax:           (615) 898-2615
mail:         MTSU Box 83
                Murfreesboro, TN 37132

RESPONSIBILITIES
The dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for the college and is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the College, overseeing curriculum for sixteen undergraduate major programs, eight graduate programs, one doctor of arts, and one graduate certificate program. The dean is responsible for resource allocation and personnel matters to further the College's growth and distinction in both education and research in the community, state and region, and for maintaining relationships with the external business and professional community and encouraging their involvement and support.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Cheatham obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at Campbellsville University and his Masters degree and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Cheatham taught mathematics and computer science at Samford University in Birmingham Alabama from 1971-1980. In 1980, he accepted a position in the Computer Science Department at Western Kentucky University where he taught nearly every course in the BS and MS programs. He was a NASA Summer Research Fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena in 1989 and 1990. He left WKU in 1990 to become Chair of the Computer Science Department at MTSU. In 1987, Dr. Cheatham was selected as Western Kentucky University's Outstanding Teacher, an honor which he still cherishes. Teaching is still very much a part of his life and an endeavor to which he commits much energy and time. He was honored by MTSU in 1999 when he was selected to receive the MTSU "2000 Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology." Dr. Cheatham also enjoys cooperative research with colleagues and students.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Dr. Cheatham has a wife Carole and two grown children Christopher and Emily. Carole is a dietitian at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center. Christopher is a Medical Doctor and Emily is a college student at MTSU majoring in fashion design. Besides work, Dr. Cheatham enjoys boating, a game of racquetball with his students and friends, and watching University of Kentucky basketball.