Upper Iowa University appoints Richard R. Patrick as Acting President
FAYETTE, Iowa (October 5, 2012) - Upper Iowa University's Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Richard R. Patrick as Acting President following the recent announcement of President Alan G. Walker's sabbatical. Patrick has been serving as Dean of Faculty since 2009, and has been directly involved in the University's day-to-day operations.
Robert Firth, Chair of the University's Board of Trustees, stated that the decision to make Dr. Patrick Acting President was a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees to ensure the University's mission and operations continue without interruption. "We have every confidence Dr. Patrick has the experience and working knowledge of the University to be an excellent steward during Dr. Walker's sabbatical. With his daily contact with students, faculty, staff, and administrators, Dr. Patrick quickly became the logical choice to maintain the continuity during this academic year," added Firth.
"I am humbled by the support of the Board of Trustees and the University community, and I will do my level best to keep UIU on the trajectory it has enjoyed over the last 25 years," said now Acting President Patrick.
Dr. Patrick joined UIU after a 15-year successful tenure at Nebraska Wesleyan University, leading the business, accounting and economics division. Prior to his experience in academia, Dr. Patrick was the executive administrator of a life care retirement community, a subsidiary of the Weitz Corporation. He earned a bachelor's degree from Simpson College, a master's of business administration from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska - specializing in organizational behavior and human resource management. Dr. Patrick brings a wealth of experience in both academic and administrative leadership, and has already met with University senior administrators to establish an executive leadership team that meets regularly to ensure business as usual.
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to about 6,200 students–nationally and internationally–at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu