Division – Academic Affairs
Unit – Library and Instructional Services (FLITE)
Department – LIS Administrative Services

As Dean of the Library, Richard Cochran oversees a staff of over 50 full and part-time employees situated in the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE), a $41 million, highly electronic facility that opened March 12, 2001.  FLITE holds the record as the largest single building project undertaken at Ferris State University.

Dean Cochran also served as the University's Chief Information Officer until July 1, 2004.  During his tenure as CIO, Dean Cochran helped plan and structure the migration from SCT Plus to the Banner administrative software suite, the largest computer automation project ever funded by the University.   He continues to serve the as a member of the Banner Live! Applications Steering Committee, the Advisory Committee for FerrisConnect (FSU's WebCT/Vista course management software implementation), and the FLITE Technology Committee. 

Dr. Cochran is a regular member of the Deans' Council, and has served on a variety of information technology and planning committees since 1998. 

Education
Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction; The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
M.S. in Library Science; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
M.Ed. with emphasis in adult education; Boston University, Boston, MA
B.A.; majors in Government and History; University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Employed at Ferris since:
February 1, 1998

Contact Information:
FLITE, Room 410A
1010 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2279
(231) 591-3727 (office)
(231) 591-3724 (fax)

Last updated: October 10, 2007