Ottawa University

New Ottawa University Provost Makes His Debut

OTTAWA, Kansas -   To connect with the community; to retain students; to increase enrollment - these are the three tasks with which new Vice President and Provost of Ottawa University's residential campus Dr. Dennis Tyner has been charged.  And during his debut at The College on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, he said, "It's time to act."

"I've seen what Ottawa University is made of," said Tyner.  "The work will be hard; progress may at times seem insignificant; but as long as we focus on the goals and work together, we will be successful."

Tyner spoke at his debut after being introduced by OU President Dr. Fred Snow, who recounted the work the two had done together at Norwich University in Vermont. There, Dr. Snow explained, Dr. Tyner faced similar tasks as division head of The David Crawford School of Engineering, where he achieved significant results:  both retention and enrollment of students nearly doubled during his tenure. Dr. Snow noted the reasons for Dr. Tyner's proven success there and confidence for success here. "First, Dennis is a very hard worker - I think he only sleeps 3 hours a day! Also, with eight children, he and his wife Patty bring a wonderful family atmosphere to the school; and finally, he doesn't compromise on academics in any way." 

During the debut, Tyner and his wife Patty were welcomed to the community by Mayor Deborah Henningsen, and to the OU family by Faculty President Jan Lee. Rev. Joel Fredrikson, 1975 OU graduate and pastor of First Baptist Church of Ottawa, also welcomed Dr. Tyner and his family on behalf of the American Baptist Churches and area Ottawa churches.  He prayed a blessing on the family to end the debut ceremony.

Those attending from the College and community were given a chance to greet Dr. Tyner as they arrived and talk more extensively with him following the ceremony. 

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Ottawa University's educational mission brings together a residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jeffersonville, Indiana; as well as multiple international instructional sites.  For more information, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/.

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