Wheaton College Names First Female Provost in School History Amid Plans to Adopt New Diversity Requirements
The Christian Post reports that Wheaton College has named its first female provost in the school’s more than 150-year history. Margaret Diddams, Seattle Pacific University assistant provost and a Wheaton alumna, assume the new role after current provost Stanton Jones steps down due to health issues later in 2016. Diddams says one of her priorities when she takes the reins will be maintaining diversity at Wheaton, a noteworthy sentiment after Jones’ recent controversial recommendation to dismiss a female professor for posting a message on Facebook saying Muslims and Christians worship the same god. In 2014, Jones approved new diversity requirements that are slated to be implemented in fall 2016.
Hardin-Simmons Names Brown Dean of Education School
Hardin-Simmons University has named Dr. Perry Kay Haley Brown the new dean of the Irvin School of Education, assuming the position after eight months as the interim dean. The Abilene Reporter-News reports she most recently served as dean of the education school at McMurray University for 15 years. She’s also served as a consultant for educational entities and two terms as president of the Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Pete Peterson Named Dean of Pepperdine University School of Public Policy
Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy has announced its new dean, Pete Peterson, who has been serving as interim dean since September 2015. Peterson has been the executive director for the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership since 2010, where he developed the Public Engagement Grant Program, which has provided more than $400,000 in grants to dozens of municipal governments across California, according to a release. Peterson has also served as a professor at Pepperdine since 2007 and serves on leadership councils of the Public Policy Institute of California and California Forward, as well as a panel of advisors for the Public Education Program for the League of California Cities and the public sector budget transparency firm OpenGov. Peterson assumes his new position as dean immediately.
Bryant Named EVP of Charleston Southern University
South Carolina’s Charleston Southern University (CSU) has announced its new Executive Vice President, Michael L. Bryant, dean of the university’s School of Christian Studies. He is also the head of the school’s strategic planning committee and has served as both a Faculty Senate chair and chairperson of the Religion Department. Bryant holds a doctorate from CSU as well as a master’s degree in divinity and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Palmetto Business Daily reports.
D’Youville College Names Mariani as Interim President
William J. Mariani has been named the interim president of D’Youville College beginning June 30, 2016 when president Sister Denise A. Roche retires. He is not currently a candidate for the permanent position. Mariani has served as Vice President for Administrative Services and External Relations at D’Youville for eight years and joined the college in 2007 as an associate professor of business. He served as dean at Erie Community College from 1999-2006, according to The Buffalo News. The board of trustees is in the process of conducting a search for Roche’s replacement.
Spring Arbor University Adding Nursing Program to Meet Demand
Michigan’s Spring Arbor University is adding a new bachelor’s degree program in nursing beginning in fall 2016 in response to the inquiries they’ve received over the years from high school students seeking to pursue the course of study, MLive reports. The school has offered the BSN program to adult learners for more than a decade. It is currently waiting state approval for the program, which will give new students access to a simulation lab designed to provide students an environment in which to practice clinical skills. The BSN program will also maintain a focus on ministry in all vocations, which Spring Arbor’s nursing program chair Al Kauffman says helps them understand why their work is important therefore produces better nurses.
