Russell Douglas Whitman of Oakland Township was named dean of Wayne State University’s College of Education. He has served as interim dean since May 2014, during which time, he launched the TeachDETROIT initiative, focusing on training teachers to work in Detroit Public Schools. Whitman was previously professor and director of clinical training and chairman in the WSU Department of Psychology. Whitman has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and journalism from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in psychology from Brandeis University. He was a recipient of the WSU Presidential Award for Extraordinary Service and the WSU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. For more information, visit wayne.edu.

— Staff writer Kathy Blake