Robert Orr, a recently retired, long-serving member of the university’s psychology department, will commence a one-year term as acting dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on July 1, provost Leo Groarke announced Wednesday.

Dr. Orr had previously served as department head and associate dean. He will succeed Cecil Houston while a committee continues its search for a new dean.

“Bob brings to the dean’s position a wealth of experience and an intimate knowledge of UWindsor which will be an asset as we continue important developments in FASS during the upcoming year — most notably, the planning of the university’s new downtown campus,” said Dr. Groarke. “I ask faculty and staff to extend to Bob your thanks and congratulations and count on you to assist him in his leadership of our largest faculty during the next year.”