Department of Physics and Astronomy Chair Ron Henderson, left, and new College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer joke during a Sept. 5 event to welcome the new leader. (MTSU photos by News and Media Relations)

Dr. Bud Fischer appeared somewhat surprised by the turnout of MTSU faculty, staff, administrators and guests for a welcoming celebration held in the new College of Basic and Applied Sciences dean’s honor Sept. 5 in the Tom H. Jackson Building.

“We’re honored and excited about Bud’s presence at MTSU,” Provost Brad Bartel said during welcoming remarks. “He has a great personality. He has incredible knowledge. He’s a wonderful addition to our university.”

Fischer, who joined MTSU Aug. 1 after serving as biology department chair for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shook many hands and exchanged lots of hearty laughs for 90 minutes.

“I like being on campus a ton,” Fischer said. “This university has everything. Here, students can walk across campus to (Floyd) Stadium. … Everybody has been incredibly nice. I hope to be here a long time and develop great relationships. Feel free to come and talk to me; my door’s open.”

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said Fischer “has a heart for working with students and faculty. He knows the university cares for its employees. I look forward to a long, long relationship.”

McPhee told of Fischer’s commitment when he joined campus officials at a lengthy Murfreesboro City Council meeting this summer about extending the runway at Murfreesboro Airport.

Former MTSU staffers Dan, left, and Margaret Scott visit with new College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer at a Sept. 5 welcoming event in the Tom H. Jackson Building.

“He was the new dean. He was patient. He stayed until the end,” McPhee said.

MTSU’s aerospace department, one of 10 in the college, has its Flight Operations Center at the city airport.

Among the visitors attending the event were Margaret and Dan Scott and Raul Regalado. The Scotts are retired MTSU faculty members, Margaret Scott was a librarian and Dan Scott was a chemistry professor and former department chair. Regalado, retired president and CEO of the Nashville Airport Authority, serves on the Aerospace Advisory Board and recently started his own consulting firm in Nashville.

You can read a  Q-and-A profile of Fischer here.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)