John L. Ford has been reappointed as the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students at Cornell University, Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services, announced Wednesday.

The five-year appointment begins July 1. Ford, who is also a professor of human service studies at Cornell, was first appointed to the deanship July 1, 1992.

"John is the first faculty member to serve as dean of students, and that experience, along with John's commitment to students, has been an invaluable asset to the campus community," Murphy said. "I am delighted that John will remain in the position. It has been wonderful to work with him, and I look forward to his continued contributions and campus leadership."

As dean of students, Ford is responsible for new student programs and peer support, student activities, fraternity and sorority affairs, oversight of the student union and university ministries.

Ford said he takes full and genuine pleasure in his daily interactions with students and looks forward to another five years working with them.

"I am happy to have this opportunity to continue serving students by helping them develop a sense of belonging to a supportive academic community," he said. "In the next five years my staff and I will redouble our energy and commitment to working with faculty in creating and redefining learning environments outside classrooms and laboratories, developing a strategic plan for the student union, implementing the strategic plan for fraternities and sororities and enhancing the first-year experience for undergraduate students."

Murphy said Ford's greatest accomplishment as dean is "the success with which he works with all the folks who cross his door -- parents (happy and unhappy), students, faculty and staff. It amazes me that student groups from all persuasions will turn to him to help moderate a debate, facilitate a discussion, give some advice or diffuse a contentious situation."

She also pointed to his work in creating Cornell 101, the voluntary, noncredit course established last spring for freshmen to help ease the transition between home and the Cornell community. "While I don't think we have it right yet, the Cornell 101 initiative was an important first step and I think we will build on it during his next term," Murphy said.

Ford received his B.A. degree in philosophy and psychology from Boston University and earned three graduate degrees including a Ph.D. in social work and sociology at the University of Michigan. He came to Cornell in 1974 as a lecturer in the Department of Human Service Studies.

Ford's teaching and research have concentrated on the organization and delivery of health care in the United States and other countries.