The Daily Bulletin Archive

It’s been 30 years since Larry Flood came to Buffalo State as an assistant professor of political science. This is his last year as dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences; he decided to retire from that role, even though he feels he’s not quite ready to leave the college.

Then why is he retiring?

“I was reading a poem by Charles Wright not long ago,” he said, “and it has a line: ‘Whatever it was I had to say, I’ve said it.’ Well, that’s how I feel: I’ve done all I can as dean. I wanted to leave at the right time, and I believe that time is now.”

Flood came to Buffalo State because the job matched his interests. “If I had to find the perfect job,” he said, “this was it: a public, urban institution.” As a political scientist, he was interested in urban government and policy issues. He also believed that working at a state college was an opportunity for public service.

As a faculty member, Flood was active in UUP on the state level, addressing economic-development issues. His first role as an administrator came about when the previous dean of Natural and Social Sciences, Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, encouraged Flood to apply for the position of associate dean.

“At the time,” he said, “the associate dean dealt with a lot of student issues, and I was interested in that.” He has also shown a lifelong interest in taking on new challenges—something he plans to do at Buffalo State after stepping down as dean—and in making a difference, either by direct action or by facilitating others’ efforts. He pursued the dean’s position because he saw it as an opportunity to represent faculty interests as well as to tackle something new.

Under his leadership, the School of Natural and Social Sciences can point to a number of achievements. When asked what he’s most proud of, he ticks off an impressive list: the hiring of a number of excellent new faculty members, curricular and program improvements, the recently funded science and mathematics complex, new relations with community organizations, and the work of the Great Lakes Center and the Center for Health and Social Research.

However, he is most enthusiastic when he talks about the faculty members in Natural and Social Sciences, insisting that the successes during his tenure are due to them, not him. “They do all the work,” he said. “It’s a great staff—accomplished, hardworking people. I have a lot of affection for this school.” He also went out of his way to praise the staff in the dean’s office.

Developing cross-discipline programs has been one of his goals, and he’s pleased that the new science and mathematics complex will house the Mathematics Department and the applied math program. Another example of his interdisciplinary efforts is hiring people to serve as both faculty members and associates of the Great Lakes Center, a move that he believes strengthens both units.

“It’s always been stimulating,” Flood said. “I’ve never been bored. There’s always been something worth doing. I’ve been very lucky.”

Buffalo State has also been very lucky to have Dean Larry Flood, and we look forward to his continuing role with the college.