Peter Rock, dean of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at UC Davis since 1995, will step down from that post July 1.

He plans to continue his environmental geochemistry research and to complete writing projects during a 2003-04 sabbatical leave.

"My service as dean has been a labor of love," Rock said. "My overriding philosophy in fulfilling my duties as dean is that the university always comes first. What is good for the university is ultimately good for the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the College of Letters and Science."

Rock pointed to the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty as his "prime directive" and major accomplishment as dean, with particular attention paid to facilitating cross-campus interdisciplinary appointments.

"It is, of course, the quality of the faculty that ultimately determines the quality of a university because high-quality faculty attract high-quality students," he said. "The creation of an academic environment that supports and encourages excellence in the faculty is the key to greatness for a research university. I began my service as dean with a solid core of excellent faculty in each department, and I leave with a substantial measure of enhanced faculty excellence in all of our division's units."

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef praised Rock's accomplishments as dean.

"I know of no dean who is more effective than Peter," Vanderhoef said. "He is clearly dedicated to the entire university, always willing to assist it in achieving its academic aspirations. His creative, entrepreneurial and collaborative approaches have greatly benefited UC Davis, positioning us well for the future."

Under Rock's leadership, division research and teaching programs increased in both size and quality, substantive teaching innovations were introduced and several facility-improvement projects launched.

Design plans for a new Mathemati-cal Sciences Building are headed to the UC Board of Regents for approval next month, and planning has begun for a new Materials and Physical Sciences Building. Substantial renovations have been completed in the Chemistry Annex and have begun within the Physics/Geology Building.

• member of the UC Davis faculty since 1964, Rock also served as chair of the Department of Chemistry from 1980 to 1985. He is a physical chemist with research interests in chemical thermodynamics, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, chemical physics and chemical safety.

He holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Boston University and a doctorate in physical chemistry/chemical thermodynamics from UC Berkeley. In 1974, he was elected to the Collegium of Distinguished Alumni of Boston University.

He is the recipient of Woodrow Wilson, National Science Foundation, IBM and National Institutes of Health fellowships.

• national search for Rock's successor will be initiated immediately.