SAN DIEGO – Longtime San Diego State University science professor Stephen Roeder will be the next dean of SDSU's Imperial Valley campuses in Calexico and Brawley, the university announced yesterday.

Roeder, 64, has been chairman of the physics and chemistry departments and was interim dean of the College of Sciences for two years. He takes on his appointment Monday and will attend Thursday's commencement ceremony.

The campuses have about 1,000 students, drawn mostly from the desert communities.

SDSU Provost Nancy Marlin chose Roeder from among 37 applicants. She praised him for his enthusiasm, experience and vision for the campus.

Roeder takes over the post vacated by Khosrow Fatemi, who was appointed president of Eastern Oregon University.