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ATLANTA—The College of Arts & Sciences at Georgia State University mourns the loss of former dean Ahmed Abdelal, who passed away on April 11, 2024. Dr. Abdelal was a revered leader and a pioneering scientist, whose tenure at the university profoundly shaped its trajectory.
Joining the biology faculty in 1975, Abdelal served with distinction until 2002, when he became provost at Northeastern University. His research, spanning microbiology to biochemistry, received substantial support from prominent agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy and Georgia Research Alliance. He was a respected figure in various scientific societies including the American Academy for Microbiology.
Abdelal’s collaborative leadership at Georgia State began when he chaired the Department of Biology (1980-1991), during which he introduced graduate programs that included concentrations in biotechnology and molecular genetics. The endowed Ahmed Abdelal Fellowship continues to support doctoral studies in these fields. Abdelal’s vision expanded the research infrastructure of the department, college and university through his involvement in the construction of the Natural Science Center, a significant milestone at Georgia State.
As dean of the College of Arts & Sciences from 1992-2002, Abdelal's leadership propelled the creation of new degree programs, departments, institutes and research centers. The college added doctoral degrees in applied linguistics, communication studies and computer science during his tenure. The formation of the Department of African American Studies (now the Department of Africana Studies) and Women’s Studies Institute (now the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), along with several new interdisciplinary research centers, expanded the breadth of scholarship and teaching in the college.
Abdelal’s time as dean saw a substantial increase in research funding and the enhancement of academic facilities. His collaboration with peers at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Emory University contributed to foundational projects under the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), elevating Georgia State's stature as a research institution.
Abdelal's strategic recruitment efforts brought leading scholars to the college, enhancing its research capabilities across the arts and sciences. Notably, he recruited Georgia State's first GRA Eminent Scholar, leading to the establishment of the Viral Immunology Center, the first biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory within a U.S. university campus setting. His efforts also led to the creation of Georgia State's pioneering biotech startup incubator, CollabTech.
Abdelal founded the Middle East Center for Peace, Culture, and Development (now the Middle East Studies Center), underscoring his commitment to global understanding. He also established a college lecture series that became the Hellen Ingram Plummer Endowed Lecture, enriching the intellectual life of the college.
H. Elliott Albers, Regents’ Professor and director of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, said that Abdelal was a driving force behind Georgia State’s rise as a research institution.
“Ahmed pushed all the boundaries to make Georgia State into a major research university. He used creativity, wit, and charm as his tools,” Albers said.
Since his passing, other colleagues have noted Abdelal’s leadership in establishing the college’s policy infrastructure and the influential role that arts and sciences faculty played in shaping the direction of Georgia State through the University Senate.
Remembered as a charismatic leader and team builder, Abdelal's time as dean was marked by a spirit of collaboration and community. Upon becoming dean, Abdelal is said to have remarked, “I am now dean of the entire college, of all departments in arts and sciences. I will advocate for all of you as fiercely as I advocated for biology.” He was known to frequently remind his department chair colleagues that “it’s all one budget.” By focusing attention on the larger picture, Abdelal not only elevated the college's academic stature but also fostered a vibrant community.
Abdelal’s legacy is further evident in the leadership of former students and colleagues that he mentored and inspired to reach the highest levels of their academic careers.
Carol Winkler, a former associate dean and chair of the Department of Communication, said that Abdelal was the strongest mentor in her career.
“Not only did he have great advice, but he also listened and brought people together to achieve important objectives,” Winkler said. “His approach remains with me, which is something I am intensely grateful for.”
The College of Arts & Sciences plans to honor Dr. Abdelal's legacy with a remembrance event in the fall of 2024. Details will be announced soon.
For more on Dr. Abdelal’s life and contributions, please visit his obituary.
— Story by Justin Lilly