MTSU alumnus and Liberal Arts Dean Mark Byrnes replaces Brad
Bartel
MURFREESBORO – Mark Byrnes, dean of MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts since June 2010,
will become the university’s interim provost on May 9, President Sidney A.
McPhee announced Friday.
Byrnes will
replace Brad Bartel, who will step down as chief academic officer after spring
commencement ceremonies conclude on May 7.
“I wish to
express my deep appreciation and thanks for Brad’s many contributions to our
university,” McPhee said. “Our Quest for Student Success was developed under
his watch as provost, which has garnered national praise and recognition.”
Bartel, who has
served as provost since July 2010, will continue at MTSU as a professor in the
Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
In a note to
the university's faculty, Bartel said it was "an honor and a
privilege" to serve as provost. "I am truly thankful for the
opportunity I have had to work with such a great group of dedicated
administrators, educators and staff," he said.
An
archaeologist specializing in studies of colonialism, mortuary practice and
early human symbolism, Bartel has conducted field research in Yugoslavia,
Turkey, Ireland and the United States. His research has appeared in numerous anthropological journals.
McPhee said the
university will begin a national search for a permanent provost later this
year.
As Liberal Arts
dean, Byrnes leads 10 academic departments that offer 50 undergraduate majors,
six master’s degrees and two Ph.D.'s, which generate nearly a third of the
university’s student credit hours.
Byrnes,
a nationally recognized expert on the American presidency and Tennessee
politics, has taught political science at MTSU since 1991 and was associate
dean of liberal arts from 2006 to 2009.
"I am
grateful to President McPhee for this opportunity," Byrnes said. "I
see being interim provost as another way to serve the university I love. My job
will be to support the faculty and staff in the outstanding work they do with
our students."
A
1983 graduate of MTSU who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at
Vanderbilt University, Byrnes also was the recipient of one of the MTSU
Foundation’s 2010 Public Service Awards.
Byrnes,
a native of Murfreesboro and a graduate of Riverdale High School, also has
served as chairman and vice chairman of the Rutherford County School Board.
McPhee also
said he accepted Byrnes’ recommendation to appoint Karen Petersen as interim
dean of the Liberal Arts college.
Petersen, a
professor of political science specializing in international relations, served
as the college's assistant dean from 2010 to 2013 and has been associate dean
since January 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment