Dale Named Interim Dean of UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Daniel “Danny” Dale, the University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Professor of Astronomy and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences associate dean, has been named interim dean of the college.

UW’s Board of Trustees approved the appointment this week, and Dale takes the reins of the college immediately. A nationwide dean search will take place in the future.

“We have great confidence that Dr. Dale will capably lead this important college on an interim basis,” says UW Interim Provost Scott Turpen, who recommended Dale’s appointment. “He has been a stalwart faculty member and leader for many years, and we are grateful for his willingness to take on this responsibility.”

Dale has over 25 years of teaching experience and specializes in the research of nearby galaxies in UW’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, where he advanced from assistant professor to full professor after starting at UW in 2001. He served as head of that department as well as associate dean and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, before the department moved to the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Additionally, Dale manages a National Science Foundation-funded undergraduate internship program; directs the UW Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium; coaches the UW women’s club ice hockey team; and participates in many K-12 STEM education outreach programs and initiatives, such as the UW Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp.

Dale received his Ph.D. and master’s degrees in physics from Cornell University, after graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physics and math from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He did postdoctoral work at the California Institute of Technology.

Among many honors at UW, Dale received the George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award -- the university’s top faculty honor -- in 2024.