KNOXVILLE— Scott Poole, the new dean of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Architecture and Design, was named to the "25 Most Admired Educators of 2012" by DesignIntelligence, a report published by the Design Futures Council.

The annual honor is bestowed on leading design professionals who demonstrate excellence as administrators and educators. DesignIntelligence staff creates the list based on input from thousands of professionals in academia and industry, spanning the fields of architecture, interior design, industrial design and landscape architecture.

Poole joined UT in July. Prior to coming to the university, he served as the director of the School of Architecture and Design at Virginia Tech. Poole has also been recognized by the Association for Collegiate Schools of Architecture for his distinguished service.

Poole received a bachelor of arts degree from Temple University, where he was part of the honors anthropology program and an All-American athlete. He earned a master's degree in architecture from the University of Texas and was a student Fulbright Scholar.

"Our goal is to make Knoxville a design research hub that reaches out from Tennessee to the world," he said. "To enhance curricula in the college, we will be adding courses, programs, technological capability, intellectual capital and industrial affiliates.

"The college will play a primary role in meeting the global demand for creativity and become a recognized center for design thinking."

Susan Martin, UT provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said: "The College of Architecture and Design's programs are among some of the most noted and well-respected in the region and nation. We are fortunate to have Dean Poole in the leadership position to further advance the college and build upon its strong foundation."

The College of Architecture and Design houses architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. The undergraduate architecture program was ranked a Top 20 program for 2011 by DesignIntelligence. The college's landscape architecture master's program, which opened in 2008, is the only program of its kind in the state.

---

C O N T A C T S :

Kiki Roeder (865-974-6713, kroeder@utk.edu)