Ronald Nowaczyk Named President of Frostburg State University
Appointee is Provost of Clarion
University
Adelphi, MD (Feb. 16, 2016) -- The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of
Regents has appointed Ronald Nowaczyk as president of Frostburg State
University (FSU), one of USM's 12 institutions. Nowaczyk is provost and vice
president for academic affairs at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. He will
join Frostburg as president on May 9, 2016.
"The Board of Regents is pleased that Dr. Nowaczyk has accepted the
appointment as Frostburg State University's next president," said USM Board
Chair James L. Shea. "He has dedicated his career to helping public
universities in rural areas advance academically and engage as active partners in
improving the quality of life in surrounding communities. We look forward to welcoming him to the
University System of Maryland and the Frostburg community."
"Ron Nowaczyk
has the experience to lead and grow a comprehensive campus in today's
challenging environment," said USM Chancellor Robert L. Caret. "He is a great
fit on both a personal and professional level for the Frostburg community and
Western Maryland. I believe he will bring the energy, vision, and strategic
leadership the campus needs to move forward."
Since 2011, Nowaczyk has served as provost and vice president for
academic affairs at Clarion, a public comprehensive university in western
Pennsylvania. Part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the
university enrolls 6,000 students and offers more than 100 academic
programs. Nowaczyk's many accomplishments
as Clarion's chief academic officer include:
-
Facilitating new
degree programs to respond to student and workforce demand;
-
Increasing the
online program offerings at the bachelor's degree level;
-
Enhancing
opportunities for faculty scholarship, research, and outreach;
-
Developing an
academic strategic plan focused on increasing student enrollment and graduation
rates.
Before joining Clarion, Nowaczyk served as dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences at the University of New Haven (2006-2011), associate vice chancellor
for economic and community development at East Carolina University (2003-2006),
and chair of East Carolina University's Department of Psychology (1998-2002). He
also was on the faculty of Clemson University's Department of Psychology
(1978-1998). His other professional experiences include serving as a visiting
scientist at the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering
at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, and as a visiting human factors
research consultant at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Lincroft, NJ.
Active in the communities where he's worked, Nowaczyk has served on the
boards of the Northwest (PA) Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance, and
in North Carolina's Pitt County, the boards of the United Way, The ARC, and the
American Red Cross.
"I am both honored and excited about leading the
Frostburg State University community in the upcoming years," said
Nowaczyk. "Frostburg State's history and mission in serving the state and
region speak to the commitment and dedication of its faculty and staff. I
hope to help the university enhance its value as an educational leader and
economic partner in western Maryland. My family and I are looking forward
to becoming part of Frostburg."
Nowaczyk earned his doctoral and master's degrees from Miami University
of Ohio and his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, all three in
psychology.
Since July 1, 2015, Tom Bowling has served as FSU's interim president,
following Jonathan Gibralter's departure to join Wells College (NY) as
president. When Nowaczyk joins FSU in May, Bowling will return to his former
position as vice president for student affairs.
"Tom Bowling has done an outstanding job during this period of
transition," Chairman Shea and Chancellor Caret said in a joint statement. "We
appreciate his deep commitment to keeping Frostburg moving ahead as we searched
for a new leader."
The appointment of Nowaczyk follows nearly 10 months of work by the
search and screening committee appointed in April 2015. Lochlin Partners, an executive search firm
headquartered in Virginia, assisted in identifying candidates for the
president's position. Thomas G. Slater, an FSU alumnus and member of the USM
Board of Regents, chaired the committee, which included representatives from
the FSU faculty, staff, student body, alumni, and greater community. The
committee recommended finalists for consideration by Chancellor Caret and the
Board of Regents. The board made the final appointment.
Frostburg State University prides itself on its small classes led by
excellent professors; its students' access to internships, study abroad, and
other experiential opportunities; and a strong commitment to community service.
Enrollment numbers more than 5,600 undergraduate, master's level, and doctoral
students. Located in Frostburg, the university is
recognized as Western Maryland's educational and cultural center. For more
information about FSU, visit: www.frostburg.edu.
Contact: Anne Moultrie
Phone: 301.445.2722
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
