SAN FRANCISCO, April 17, 2006 -- San Francisco State University (SFSU) has named Fred La Don (Don) Taylor dean of its College of Health and Human Services, after a nationwide search.

Taylor joined the SFSU faculty as a lecturer in 1979 and served as the department chair of Recreation and Leisure Studies from 1995 to 2001. He was appointed interim associate dean for the college from 2002 to 2004 and acting dean in 2004.

“Don Taylor's experience at SFSU spans a broad spectrum of teaching, community involvement, and programmatic leadership,” said John Gemello, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “His deep commitment to engaged scholarship and exemplary team-building skills will serve the college very well.”

The SFSU College of Health and Human Services offers bachelors and masters degrees in consumer and family studies/dietetics, health education, kinesiology, recreation and leisure studies, nursing and social work; master's degrees in counseling and gerontology; as well as masters through doctorate degrees in physical therapy.

“Everyone in this college is very forward-thinking,” said Taylor. “Throughout the academic disciplines, it consistently produces cutting-edge results and demonstrates a true commitment to reaching out to the San Francisco community. I feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity to lead a college where the entrepreneurial spirit sparks every department.”

Taylor, a Point Richmond, Calif., resident, is a native of Geff, Ill. He holds a bachelor of science in forest science from the University of Illinois and a masters of science in curriculum with a specialization in environmental education from California State University East Bay. He received his doctorate in counseling and educational psychology from University of San Francisco in 1989.

SFSU is the only master’s-level public university serving the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. The University enrolls about 29,000 students each year and graduates about 7,000 annually. With nationally acclaimed programs in a range of fields - from creative writing, cinema and biology to history, broadcast and electronic communication arts, theatre arts and ethnic studies - the University's more than 150,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond.