Bryan E. Penprase, PhD, will serve as Soka University’s new dean of faculty beginning next academic year in addition to joining Soka’s full-time faculty as a professor of science, says a university statement.
Penprase joins the Aliso Viejo campus from a post a science professor and founding director for the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Yale-NUS (National University of Singapore) College. For 20 years, he previously was Pomona College’s astronomy professor.
He received a bachelor and master’s degree in physics from Stanford University and a doctorate from the University of Chicago in astronomy and astrophysics. The school is adding a new life sciences concentration to its curriculum.
Michael Weiner, PhD, becomes Soka’s new associate dean of faculty and director of faculty research and development. He is currently professor of East Asian history and international studies and assistant dean of faculty at Soka University of America. Prior to joining Soka University in 2005, he served as chair of Asian studies and director of the Japan Studies Institute at San Diego State University.
Dr. Weiner received his bachelor’s degree in Chinese history and sociology from Sophia University, Tokyo and a doctorate in Japanese history from the University of Sheffield.
