As of Tuesday, Dr. Robert S. Sowell, the dean of the Graduate School, announced his retirement from his position, effective July 2006.

Sowell has given 36 years of service to the University, 15 of which were spent as the assistant dean and the dean of the Graduate School.

“I have enjoyed all my time here at NCSU,” Sowell said. “This is a decision I have made and while this all has been very rewarding, I think it is time for a change for both myself and the University.”

During his time as dean, Sowell said the number of graduate students who actually graduated has increased at least 50 percent.

“Also, NCSU has seen an increase in the number of interdisciplinary degrees earned over the last 15 years,” Sowell said.

Sowell said some of his other accomplishments have included the development and implementation of the Graduate Student Support Plan, a program that provides around $20 million in tuition and health insurance aid for qualified graduate students on teaching and research assistantships and fellowships.

A committee headed by John Gilligan, vice chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, has already been formed to conduct a nationwide search to replace Sowell.