SAN FRANCISCO, February 6, 2002 - Following a national search, Paul Sherwin has been named dean of the College of Humanities at San Francisco State University, President Robert A. Corrigan and Provost Thomas J. La Belle announced. Sherwin, 55, is dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y., a post he has held since 1996.

"Dr. Sherwin is the ideal candidate for the deanship of the College of Humanities," La Belle said. "His strong teaching, leadership and administrative experience at urban universities illustrate broad knowledge of the humanities and a proven ability to work with colleagues and students of diverse backgrounds. In addition, his passion for teaching exemplifies San Francisco State's mission to promote excellence in instruction and intellectual accomplishment."

From 1971 to 1996, Sherwin was on the English faculty at City College of New York (CCNY) and held various administrative positions during his tenure. He was director of the college's Simon H. Rifkind Center for the Humanities from 1986 to 1996, acting vice president of development from 1993 to 1995, and dean of humanities from 1983 to 1993. Sherwin also was a member of the City University of New York's doctoral English faculty from 1988 to 1996.

The SFSU College of Humanities houses more than 20 academic departments and programs, including American Studies, Classics, Creative Writing, English Language and Literature, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Humanities, Jewish Studies, Journalism, Modern Greek Studies, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Speech and Communication Studies, Technical and Professional Writing, Women Studies, World and Comparative Literature and NEXA.

Sherwin replaces Nancy McDermid, who will retire after 23 years as dean of the College of the Humanities and 37 years on the SFSU faculty. His appointment is effective July 1.

An accomplished fund-raiser, Sherwin generated more than $3 million in grants at CCNY, including two prestigious Challenge Grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and raised an additional $4.5 million in matching funds.

Sherwin earned his doctorate in English in 1974, his master's of philosophy in 1970, and his master's of arts in English in 1968 - all from Yale University. He is the author of "Precious Bane: Collins and the Miltonic Legacy" (University of Texas Press, 1977) and has published articles on Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and John Keats.