Sharpe Named Dean of UA Honors College

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Shane Sharpe has been named dean of the Honors College at The University of Alabama.

Sharpe has been serving as interim dean of the college for the past year and as director of UA’s renowned Computer-Based Honors Program since 2005.

“I believe that Dean Sharpe has the experience and vision to provide the leadership needed for the Honors College at this time in its development. He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to work with top students and with deans and faculty across the University,” said Dr. Judy Bonner, UA executive vice president and provost, in announcing the appointment.

“Dean Sharpe has also demonstrated a deep understanding of and a passionate commitment to the role that Honors College should play in the education of academically talented students in our various schools and colleges at The University of Alabama,” Bonner said.

Sharpe came to UA as a faculty member in the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1991 after a 10-year career in the health care industry. He holds a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas, an MBA in finance from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. in management information systems from Texas Tech University.

Sharpe’s appointment as dean will be effective Aug. 16.

“I could not be more pleased to know that Dr. Sharpe will be serving as our dean permanently. He is the embodiment of the attitude of service that the Honors College is always striving for,” said UA student Hallie Paul, president of the Honors College Assembly. “His support and genuine care for the students is unparalleled. I know that this compassion paired with his drive to make the Honors College the very best it can be will make this next chapter in the development of the college an amazing one,” Paul said.

Sharpe has taught MIS graduate and undergraduate students about business systems application architectures and development methods, and he teaches several undergraduate honors research seminars through the Computer-Based Honors and Emerging Scholars Programs.

Connor Johnson, an Honors College rising senior and member of the Computer-Based Honors Program, said he was “thrilled” that Sharpe has been named dean. “I have met few individuals with his work ethic, devotion, selflessness and integrity.  Dr. Sharpe is truly dedicated to the students at Alabama, always doing whatever he can to serve each and every one, and I am excited for the future of Honors College under his direction,” Johnson said.

Sharpe has publications in numerous research journals and his primary research areas include asset management systems development, project management and knowledge management systems. Sharpe, who has experience working with business, government and nonprofit agencies on information systems development projects, has involved his students in the development of applications for numerous companies over the past decade. The MIS program has been recognized as one of the top five programs in the nation by ComputerWorld based on the program’s unique experiential learning focus.

Sharpe joined the Honors College by succeeding Dr. Cathy Randall as the director of the Computer-Based Honors Program, the University’s elite interdisciplinary undergraduate research program which partners students with faculty research mentors. Many Honors College students have earned national awards and recognition for the quality and impact of their research and service projects.

Additionally, Sharpe has received several top honors for excellence in teaching and service leadership, including the Morris L. Mayer Award and the National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, and he was named the Derrell Thomas Endowed Faculty Fellow in UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce. Sharpe served as the founding president of the Southern Association for Information Systems organization. He also serves on boards for several business and nonprofit organizations.