Popular School Dean To Retire

TAHLEQUAH, OK -- The dean of the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry will be retiring next January.   

School officials announced Tuesday, Dr. George Foster, who moved to Tahlequah from Bristow in 1997, has been with the school for the past 11 years. 

"I came to Northeastern because there was a job to do, and when a ‘real' dean couldn't be found, I was appointed to the position in January 1998," Foster said. "These eleven years have flown by and have been the most rewarding in my professional career."  

Despite his pending retirement, Dr. Foster says he plans to remain active. 

"Even though I am officially retiring, I plan to be a part of the NSU family and continue to expand the influence of the optometry college in Oklahoma and throughout the nation," Foster said. "Since it was founded thirty years ago, the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry has been recognized as one of the nation's leading institutions in educating optometric physicians. I've had the privilege to devote my life to this profession, and I'm looking forward to having more time to work with the Oklahoma legislature and forge relationships that will hopefully yield long term benefits for the students and faculty here."   

A NSU selection committee will review candidates recruited nationwide for the dean's position.