Skip to main content
Office of the Provost, Division of Academic Affairs, University of Maryland

Announcements

Interim Dean for School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation

Dear Colleagues:

As you know, the departure of Dean Hirt for her new role at the University of Georgia is approaching, and there will be a need for an interim leader. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Don Linebaugh as Interim Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, effective May 14, 2018. I am grateful to Dr. Linebaugh for agreeing to serve in this capacity until a new dean assumes the permanent position.

Dr. Linebaugh earned his B.S. in Environmental Science with specialization in Natural History Interpretation from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI. He earned a Masters in Anthropology with specialization in Historical Archaeology, and a Ph.D. in American Studies with specialization in Material Culture from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. He was an Adjunct Professor for the Department of Anthropology and then Co-Director for Archeological Research for the College of William and Mary from 1988-1997. He served as an Associate Professor and then Director, Program for Archeological Research at the University of Kentucky from 1997-2004. Dr. Linebaugh joined the University of Maryland as Associate Professor and Director, Historic Preservation program in 2004. Since 2013, he has served as Professor and Area Chair for the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Maryland. From 2014-2017 Dr. Linebaugh was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. At present, he serves as Associate Dean of Faculty Development, Research and Creative Practice, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. 

His many awards for outstanding scholarship and teaching include a Historic Hopewell Foundation “Sustaining Preservationist of the Year” award in 2005. He earned a Paul E. Buchanan Award, Vernacular Architecture Forum (VAF), in 2012 for his work on the Goulson Frame House Project. The Paul E. Buchanan Award was instituted by the VAF to recognize contributions to the study and preservation of vernacular architecture and the cultural landscape that do not take the form of books or published work. He also received the Outstanding Teaching Award in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in both 2013 and 2016. A highly regarded scholar, preservation practitioner, and administrator, I am confident Dr. Linebaugh will be an outstanding interim dean. Don will be contacting chairs and directors in the near future to begin the process of learning more about the particular issues and opportunities facing each of the school’s units.

Many thanks to Dean Sonia Hirt for her positive leadership as dean and her commitment to making this transition to the new dean as smooth and complete as possible. Please join me in thanking Dean Hirt for her service and in welcoming Dr. Linebaugh to this important new leadership role.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Rankin, Ph.D.