A native of Clayton County

(she was named Star Student for Clayton County in 1964) and a current

resident of Fayetteville, Aust is a prime example of a Southern Crescent

student who stayed local and contributed to the success of innumerable

students throughout the years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science

in Mathematics (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Georgia in 1968,

Aust earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics from Emory University

in 1973. She served as an instructor of Mathematics at Georgia Tech from

1972 to 1974, and as an assistant professor of Mathematics at Georgia

Tech from 1974 to 1975 before taking the same position at Clayton Junior

College.

In 1977, Aust was named coordinator

of Mathematics and was subsequently promoted to associate professor (1980)

and full professor (1985). In Sept. 1994 she was named acting head of

the Department of Mathematics, becoming head of her department in 1996.

Clayton State's College of

Information and Mathematical Sciences was created as the New College for

Economic and Community Development in 1998. The college's name was changed

to better reflect its current mission in the fall of 2002.

"Combining the Departments

of Information Technology and Mathematics to create a new academic unit

offers many opportunities for collaboration between the two areas and

sets the stage for the development of new baccalaureate and Masters degree

programs in Mathematical and Computing Sciences," said Aust. "I

feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the faculty from the

two departments as we create a shared vision for our new unit and its

place in the University. I also look forward to working with the Provost

and my fellow deans, both current and yet to be appointed, as we create

new academic programming within and across academic units.

"We are in a time of unprecedented

growth for Clayton State, and it is a privilege to part of the leadership

team to guide this growth."

In addition to administering

her department for more than 25 years and teaching dozens of sections

of Mathematics courses on every level over the years, Aust has served

both the University and the University System of Georgia on more than

20 committees and task forces while making more than a dozen professional

presentations. A member of the American Mathematical Society, the Society

for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Mathematical Association of

America (where she has served as chair of the Southeastern Section), the

Association of Women in Mathematics, the American Association of University

Women, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Georgia

Council of Teachers of Mathematics (a Life Member), Aust was named an

Outstanding Young Woman of America three times and was included in the

10th Edition of Who's Who of American Women.

Aust is married to Tomie R.

Aust, who retired in 1993 after more than 30 years of teaching at Lee

Street Elementary School in Jonesboro. The driveway in front of Lee Street

Elementary was named "Aust Drive" as a retirement gift to Tomie

Aust. The Austs have one daughter, Jennifer. A National Merit Scholar

and Star Student of Fayette County for 2002, Jennifer Aust is a freshman

at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., where, in addition to double

majoring in mathematics and German, she sings in the Women's Chorus and

is a member of the rifle team.