Provost Dennis Tyner moving to Phoenix, Ariz.

The Ottawa University campus will experience some leadership changes effective October 1.

Former Provost Dr. Dennis Tyner has been named the new Dean of Health Sciences and will relocate to Phoenix, Ariz.

President Kevin Eichner sent out an email announcing the change, saying Tyner has been signaling his desire for a career change. “In particular, he (Dennis) is

seeking experience in serving online and adult learners in addition to the traditional age students which have made up his primary experience to date,” Eichner said in his email.

Tyner will be responsible for a key University-wide strategic growth initiative aimed at building our health sciences and health care programs through-

out our system according to Eichner.

“While Dennis’s academic credentials and training are not specifically

related to the health sciences, he is technically and scientifically oriented and has a real appreciation for the power of interdisciplinary studies, which are growing rapidly in this field,” Eichner said via email.

700 students are currently enrolled in health care management. Holding enormous potential for growth for health care professionals and related education, Arizona holds promise for Ottawa University as a whole.

President Eichner believes that over time, it would make sense to develop a new school constructed to house these and many future programs that consists with Vision 2020.

“We will be engaging with our faculty and outside professional resources to

develop a robust strategic plan for this effort under Dennis’s leadership as his first order of priority,” Eichner said via email.

Tyner will remain a member of the President’s Cabinet, reporting now to Dr. Terry Haines who has been appointed the new Provost of Ottawa University.

Assistant to the Provost Tisha Foster was shocked when she received the email announcing Tyner is leaving his position.

“I had no idea he was even thinking about leaving,” Foster said. “I found out when everyone else did in the email President Eichner sent out.”

Foster said she is sad to see Tyner leave, but she believes he will do great in his new position.

“This is a great opportunity for Dennis,” Foster said. “It will be a big change for our campus; he brought so much energy and did well to build bridges with the faculty.”

Junior Melissa Warner is also sad to see Tyner leave.

“He has been here since I was a freshman; I can’t imagine the campus with- out him,” Warner said. “I am really sad to see his family and him leave. He is a great guy.”

Tyner has been working at the Ottawa University Residential Campus for seven years. While holding his position as Provost, he has accomplished many things that Eichner has said have doubled the enrollment rate.

“I am confident all would agree that the College is materially better off today than it was when he came aboard,” Eichner said via email.

Tyner will not relocate until after the fall semester so he can finish out his commitment to the classes he teaches.

“Dr. Tyner will be missed on campus, but we as a campus wish him luck with his new position,” Warner said.