Joe Hagan has been named chairman of the Department of Political Science in West Virginia Universitys Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hagan, currently professor of political science and director of the International Studies Program at the University, will begin his new duties July 1. He succeeds Allan Hammock, who is returning to teaching and research after leading the department since 1978.

Dr. Hagan will do a fine job in taking over the leadership from Dr. Hammock, who has served in this role so well and for so long,said Dr. Rudolph P. Almasy, interim dean.His administrative experience with International Studies has prepared him well to chair a large unit such as political science.

Hagan earned a masters degree and doctorate from the University of Kentucky and his undergraduate degree from Drew University in Madison, N.J. He joined the WVU faculty in 1991 as an associate professor after faculty appointments at Goucher College and the University of Wyoming.

His teaching and research interests are in the field of international relations and foreign policy analysis. He is the author or co-editor of three books, and his research has appeared in leading journals, including International Studies Review, Foreign Policy, International Organization, Mershon International Studies Review, and Cooperation and Conflict.

He is currently writing a book entitledOppositions, Leaders and War: Domestic Politics and the Road to Great Power Confrontation.

Hagan has been honored by WVU with several awards, including the Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award, the WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, and both Outstanding Teacher and Outstanding Research awards from Eberly College.

He also received campus-wide teaching awards at Goucher College and the University of Wyoming and was the recipient of a Pew Faculty Fellowship in International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University from 1993-1994. Throughout the 1990s, he served as a research associate of the Mershon Center at Ohio State University.

It is an honor to succeed Allan Hammock,Hagan said,and to be trusted with the leadership of one of WVU s leading academic programs. I look forward to sustaining the hallmarks of Allans tenure as department chair: the strong balance between teaching and research, a collegial faculty atmosphere, and a position of respect within the WVU community.”