Russell Ivy has been appointed interim dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science more than a year after Dean Gary Perry announced his resignation.

Perry, who served as dean of the College of Science from 2006-2012 stepped down in July 2012 because he wanted to return to teaching and research. Ingrid Johanson has been serving as interim dean for the past year until a replacement was found.

Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer Diane E. Alperin formed a search committee headed by Michael Horswell of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. Other members were nominated by their colleagues in the College of Science, according to an email announcement sent by Alperin.

The email, dated Aug. 16, announced that Ivy would be taking over as interim dean of the College of Science. Ivy has served as chair of geosciences for nine years and assistant chair for five and has expanded e-Learning offerings and  successfully created and implemented a doctoral degree program.

As a member of the faculty since 1992, Ivy holds the position of professor of geography and is currently the editor of “The Florida Geographer.” Ivy received his bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Missouri in 1983 and his master’s degree there in 1987. He then earned his doctorate in geography from the University of Florida in 1992.

At FAU, Ivy has taught courses including World Geography, Tourism and Commercial Recreation, and Transportation and Spatial Organization. He has published research works including “Historic Preservation and Tourism Development in Savannah, Georgia,” “Modeling Passenger Airline Fares in the U.S.: A Multivariate Regression and Trend Surface Analysis,” and “Cultural and Spatial Perceptions of Miami’s Little Havana.”

“With Dr. Ivy as interim dean, this important college will continue to thrive in the year ahead. I welcome him to the university’s academic leadership team and look forward to working with him,” Alperin said.