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Hershock had plans to pursue a career in business, but his experience with College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) faculty inspired him to choose a different path.

“I found a home in CASL, particularly in history,” said Hershock, who graduated from 51��Ƶ-Dearborn in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in history. “I took more history credits than I could count for my graduation requirements because I just liked the classes so much.”

Fast forward to present day, as Hershock soon will lead the college that greatly impacted his life. U-M Board of Regents last month appointed Hershock as CASL dean. Hershock, who will replace Jerold Hale, will begin his five-year appointment July 1.

“I always felt a sense of loyalty and devotion to this institution,” he said. “It utterly transformed my life. I taught at a lot of places, but the one thing that was a constant was my admiration for the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn faculty, staff and students and inspiration I received from teaching here.”

Hershock, who currently serves as 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s associate provost for academic affairs, has been a history faculty member since 1999 and served as history chair, chair of the Department of Social Sciences and CASL faculty secretary. He was involved with the CASL Faculty Board of Advisors and the Social Sciences Executive Committee.

“The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters has an incredibly devoted faculty and staff,” he said. “What I would really like to do is highlight those talents and turn CASL into the state’s best liberal arts college. I think the small size of that unit and the balance that we have between teaching and research, you don’t find that anywhere.”

51��Ƶ-Dearborn Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Catherine Davy has worked closely with Hershock over the years and commended him for his work on campus.

“Marty has built a reputation not only as an accomplished scholar, but an effective administrator and deeply committed educator,” Davy said. “Marty is effective because he knows how to lead from behind. His leave-no-wake approach to leadership is grounded in consultation, collaboration and consensus building. He brings insight and enthusiasm to the task and a university-wide perspective to his work with faculty, department chairs, fellow deans and senior colleagues.”

Davy also recognized members of the search committee, chaired by mathematics professor David James, for their many hours of deliberation and steadfast dedication to the process.

Hershock earned a master’s degree in history from Wayne State University and a doctorate in history from 51��Ƶ-Ann Arbor.