The School of Architecture has announced that, effective July 1, George Johnston has stepped down as chair of the School, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Professor Richard Dagenhart while a national search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

Johnston took over as School chair in 2009 and served a five-year term. Under his leadership, the School saw significant alignment of the missions of all academic programs and the assembly of a strong team of staff and faculty. He will return to his role of tenured professor, teaching and researching on a full-time basis.

“I want to offer sincere thanks to George for his years of service to the College,” said Steve French, dean of the College of Architecture. “He did an excellent job of managing the transition to a school and integrating the Ph.D. and professional programs.”

Richard Dagenhart will take over as interim chair of the School of Architecture. He has been on the faculty at Georgia Tech since 1977. In addition to teaching architecture and urban design courses throughout the curriculum and directing the graduate summer study abroad program, he has served in various administrative roles over the years, directing the master’s of architecture program from 1986 to 1991. He holds his B.A. in anthropology and Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and Master of Architecture and Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

“I have great confidence in Richard’s ability to lead the School over the next year,” said Dean French. “He has the respect of the faculty and staff and will bring a steady, organized, and creative approach to the leadership team.”

In the meantime, the School will conduct a national search for a permanent school chair.  A search committee will be seated in August, and review of applications will begin in November.