Herr-Hoyman Named WCU’s New Web Services Director

Dirk Herr-Hoyman is the new director of the Office of Web Services at Western Carolina University. Herr-Hoyman, who began work in October, was with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Information Technology since 1997. There, he helped implement a universitywide, online course management system and develop a strategic e-learning plan. At Western Carolina, Herr-Hoyman’s responsibilities include managing and planning changes to Western Carolina’s Web site, www.wcu.edu, and bringing new Web technologies to campus. Herr-Hoyman said Western Carolina, in the midst of construction, campus expansion and implementation of a long-term plan promoting an engaged, intentional learning curriculum, is in a good position to accept and adapt changes in how it uses the Internet. “The climate here is not about how we’ve always done it,” Herr-Hoyman said. “There’s an excitement here about possibilities, and that’s part of what I was hoping to see.” A strong believer in collaboration, he plans widespread campus consultation to learn how better to serve the university’s Internet users. The Office of Web Services is part of the approximately 78-member Division of Information and Technology, charged with oversight of the university’s more than 3,500 computers and accompanying systems, operations and applications. Herr-Hoyman, in his first director’s position, has a staff of three. He replaces Newt Smith, who was promoted to the position of associate chief information officer. “Dirk has a lot of experience in applying Web technology to higher education,” said Bil Stahl, associate provost for information services and chief information officer. “Dirk’s specific responsibility is to prepare and position faculty and staff to take best advantage of Web developments.” Herr-Hoyman lives in the Whittier area. His personal interests include co-housing, where residents collaborate in the design and operation of their neighborhoods. He and his wife, Susan, who will join her husband in North Carolina in 2009, have a daughter, Rachel, who is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.