Georgia Southern University - College of Health and Human Sciences

Office of the Dean

• About Dean Whitt
• CHHS Administration
• Culture of the College
• Evolution of the College
• SOAR 2008 Presentation

About Dean Whitt

Dr. Fred Whitt has been Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences since his appointment in Fall of 1992, when at age 38, he was the youngest Dean in the University System of Georgia. During his tenure as Dean, Dr. Whitt has led the College through a decade of unprecedented change. He led the College to a renewed level of academic distinction through growth in faculty, new programs, increased student enrollment, external funding and new and enhanced facilities. His visionary leadership, passion for excellence, record of recruiting high quality faculty and administrators, and his commitment to developing a collaborative culture of student engagement have facilitated the College's reputation as one of the most productive, collaborative, and innovative units on campus.

Examples of initiatives under Dean Whitt's leadership include, but are not limited to: (1) developing and implementing the first School of Public Health in the University System of Georgia, (2) receiving the inaugural Board of Regents Award for the most outstanding Academic Unit (Nursing) in the University System of Georgia, (3) obtaining nationally ranked status in US News and World Report (Graduate Nursing, 11th), (4) funding from the prestigious Georgia Research Alliance, a first for Georgia Southern, (5) enhancing the quality of students in the College and achieving the highest graduation rate on campus, above the national average, (6) increasing the number of faculty with terminal degrees (Over 95%), (7) securing funds for faculty equity adjustments and significantly increasing salaries in the College, and (8) obtaining the first Kellogg Foundation grant for Georgia Southern. A highly regarded and respected leader on campus, Dean Whitt is frequently asked to chair search committees for administrative positions around the campus. These efforts have provided exemplary leaders in positions such as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Dean of the College of Business Administration, the Dean of Continuing Education and Public Service, and the Vice President for University Advancement.

Prior to his appointment as Dean at Georgia Southern, Dr. Whitt served as Associate Dean of the College of Education and Department Chair of Health and Sport Science at Kennesaw State University (GA). Whitt also served as Chair of the Department of Health and Sport Science at Coker College (SC) for three years, and held faculty positions at the University of Tennessee and Middle Georgia College. He has over 29 years experience in higher education at four universities, serving in the position of Dean for 15 years, 2 years as Associate Dean, 8 years as Department Chair, and all 29 years as faculty. Examples of his professional service include being a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Activity. He served a two terms as President of the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and was the recipient of the Honor Award, the highest award given by the Association.

An active member of the community, Dean Whitt has served on the Board of Directors for the Statesboro Rotary Club, the Ogeechee Area Hospice, the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation, and the Bulloch County Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition, he is an involved member in his church, has coached over 15 youth sport teams in baseball and basketball, and teaches ballroom dance to middle school children. His wife of 29 years (Donna) is the Director of Education at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, and they are the proud parents of two sons. Matthew (22) is a senior at Mercer University and Daniel (19) is a freshman at the University of South Carolina. During his spare time, Dean Whitt enjoys landscaping, music and the arts, college sports, and detailing cars.