May 30, 2003

American Political Scholar Appointed To Endowed Chair At SMU

DALLAS (SMU) --Harold W. Stanley, professor of political science at the University of Rochester, has been named the Geurin-Pettus Distinguished Chair in American Politics and Political Economy at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

Stanley holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University in political science and a master of philosophy in politics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. In 1979, he joined the University of Rochester Department of Political Science, one of the best in the nation, and served as its chair from 1996-1999.

"Harold Stanley comes to SMU with 20 years of service in the faculty of political science at the University of Rochester, arguably the most influential political science department in the nation over the last two decades," said Jasper Neel, dean of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. "Dr. Stanley's addition as the Geurin-Pettus Professor at SMU makes our already excellent Department of Political Science even better. He is a first-rate addition to an already first-rate department."

Known as an expert in American national politics and electoral change in the South, Stanley's current research concerns presidential nominations, partisan change and voting rights. He is past president of the Southern Political Science Organization. His publications include Vital Statistics on American Politics, 2001-2002 (with Richard G. Niemi) and Voter Mobilization and the Politics of Race. He has published articles in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics and Political Behavior. Furthermore, he has consulted on more than 47 court cases.

Professor Stanley was a visiting professor at SMU in 2000-2001. He will assume his new position this fall.

"We are delighted to fill this chair with such a distinguished and accomplished scholar," said Dennis Ippolito, Eugene McElvaney Professor of Political Science and chair of SMU's Department of Political Science. "Stanley's presence will enhance the department's national stature, and we will benefit from the wealth of experience he brings in teaching, research and administration."