|
 Randell Blackburn '74, chairman of the Millikin
University Board of Trustees, cited Reynolds' deep understanding of
higher education and leadership experience among the reasons he
stood out as a leading candidate.
"The Board of Trustees has unanimously agreed that Dr. Reynolds is
the best possible choice to lead Millikin University as he will
further strengthen our academic vision and brand," said Blackburn.
"Dr. Reynolds brings a deep understanding of higher education as
well as our Performance Learning mission. Under his leadership, we
believe Millikin's momentum can be increased and its potential more
fully realized as we continue to prepare students for professional
success, democratic citizenship in a global environment and a
personal life of meaning and value."
Reynolds currently serves as president of Wilmington College in
Wilmington, Ohio, a position he's held since 2012 after serving as
interim president from August 2011 – February 2012. As president,
Reynolds is responsible for the continued growth and development of
the College. He oversees the function and success of all the
integrated units on campus, including Development and Advancement,
Academic Affairs, Student Life, Business and Finance, Athletics,
External Programs and Enrollment Management.
During his time at Wilmington, Reynolds oversaw creation of a new
campus wide strategic planning process, and oversaw the successful
reaccreditation of Wilmington College by the Higher Learning
Commission in 2017. Under his leadership, Wilmington launched
partnerships with three medical health care providers that resulted
in the construction of the Center for Sports Sciences (completed in
August 2015). The College also increased its Annual Fund support and
overall giving over the past three years. During his time at
Wilmington, the College concluded its largest fundraising campaign
in institutional history in December 2017, exceeding the $21 million
goal.
Reynolds came to Wilmington College in 2007 to serve as vice
president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
"I am deeply humbled and excited to become the 16th
president of Millikin University," said Reynolds. "I am committed to
the mission of Performance Learning at Millikin, and as I begin this
new chapter, I look forward to working with the directors, faculty
and staff as we fulfill our mission to prepare students for personal
lives of meaning and value. I am grateful for the strong leadership
of Dr. Patrick White, who has left a lasting legacy on which we will
have the opportunity to build."
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Prior to Wilmington College, Reynolds served as academic vice
president and dean of the faculty at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Neb.,
from 2003 – 2006. Previously, he held various teaching and administrative
positions at Drake University, including associate dean and interim dean of the
College of Pharmacy.
Reynolds' scholarly work has been published extensively, and his classroom
excellence has resulted in six Teacher of the Year awards. He was awarded an
American Council on Education fellowship at Illinois Wesleyan University and a
postdoctoral research fellowship from the National Institutes of Health.
"As we make this important transition at Millikin, we are thankful for the
leadership that Dr. Patrick White has brought to the University and the many
milestones accomplished throughout his tenure," said Blackburn. "Over the past
seven years, Dr. White has led our campus with a strong vision and unmatched
enthusiasm that has allowed Millikin University to achieve extraordinary
results. Dr. White has been a champion of Millikin and his accomplishments have
further distinguished Millikin among the country's leading liberal arts
colleges. We are excited for him as he prepares to begin a new chapter."
Reynolds earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Drake University and a Master
of Arts in Zoology from DePauw University. He earned a Ph.D. in Biology from
Illinois State University. Reynolds and his wife, Sue, have two daughters.
Millikin University is a private, comprehensive university with a diverse
student population of approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. A
Millikin education features Performance Learning, a unique learning approach
offered only at Millikin that gives students the chance to build the confidence
and skills to succeed before and after graduation. Millikin offers more than 50
majors in the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, College of
Professional Studies and Tabor School of Business, and is located on a 75-acre
residential campus in Decatur, Ill. Last year, 99.4 percent of Millikin
graduates gained employment or continued their education within six months of
graduation.
[Millikin University Director of
Media Relations and Publications Dane Lisser] |
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