Anthony Scheffler Named Associate Dean of College of Education

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s newest associate dean of the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education is both an academic and an artist. He is also a professor in the Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology and interim chief executive officer of the Center for eLearning.

When asked what drew him to the South Georgia-based campus, Dr. Anthony Joseph Scheffler said, “VSU is a dynamic, high quality, growth-oriented university.”

“My first semester at VSU has been very busy,” he said. “There is always a learning curve when you start a new position, but because everyone has been so helpful and willing to share, I’ve been able to get up to speed rather quickly. I look forward to teaching in the spring and working more closely with the students. Although I’ve been in administration for most of my career in higher education, teaching is what I enjoy most.”

During the spring semester, Scheffler will teach classes offered by the Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology. His chosen areas of professional research include literacy, teacher preparation, higher education administration, governance, and politics. 

Scheffler, 58, earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1976 from Louisiana Tech University before entering the University of New Orleans, where he earned a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction in 1978 and a Master of Education in educational administration in 1982. He went on to earn an Education Specialist and Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction, in 1987 and 1991, respectively, from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Before joining the VSU team, the New Orleans, La., native served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., having worked his way up the ranks from director of the school’s Intensive Summer Graduate Program, assistant dean of Graduate Studies and Research, director of NSU Information Systems, dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Information Systems, and associate provost and dean of Graduate Studies and Research. He spent several years teaching students at the University of Southern Mississippi; the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa; William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss.; J. I. Barron Sr. Elementary School in Pineville, La.; and Edward H. Phillips Elementary School in New Orleans.

A former Teacher of the Year, Scheffler has published articles in professional journals, presented at 30 national and international conferences, and been awarded two dozen grants for research and special initiatives. He was recently appointed to both the University System of Georgia’s Regents Advisory Committee on Distance Education and Learning Management System Strategic Advisory Board.

In 2005, Scheffler took a break from the world of higher education and established an independent art studio in the small, nearby town of Barney. He specializes in fine contemporary craft, including vessels, teapots, and wall sculptures; has had some of his pieces acquired by such private and corporate collectors as The Kamm Teapot Foundation and Fleur Bresler Collection; and has gained a national gallery presence showing his work in various juried exhibitions in Chicago, Ill., Pittsburg, Pa., Los Angeles, Calif., Seattle, Wash., as well as in Valdosta and Tifton. He noted that his “intent and challenge” as an artist “is to create unique, contemporary forms which are generally appealing and yet evoke a personal response.”   

“My studio is within walking distance of the house,” he said, referring to the non-working farm he and his family, including three horses, five dogs, and a cat, call home. “Of course, I can’t spend as much time in the studio as I would like these days, but I’m there every chance I get. Currently, I am working on pieces destined for an upcoming show in Chicago.”

According to his artist statement at www.anthonyscheffler.com, Scheffler is largely a self-taught artist who, even though he has participated in a variety of workshops and classes, developed his skills through years of furniture restoration, design, and construction while maintaining a career in higher education.

“I enjoy exploring simple forms defined fundamentally by the intersection of straight and curved lines,” he shared. “My style has been described as architectural. I tend to avoid complex or fanciful surface displays that may become a distraction. I work mostly with wood because of its universal appeal and endless variations. I will, however, occasionally incorporate weathered metal, anodized aluminum, and found objects into my pieces as a way of complementing and drawing attention to basic shapes. Fundamental to my work is a belief that technique should advance, but remain subordinate to, subtle, thoughtful, unique expressions of form.”

Scheffler and his wife, Kelly, have two children — a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Sara. He is affiliated with Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Pi.    

Contact Dr. Anthony Joseph Scheffler at (229) 259-5100 or ajscheffler@valdosta.edu to learn more. His office is located in the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education, Dean’s Suite, Room 2042.