麻豆APP

On Wednesday, May 17, 麻豆APP Board of Trustees Chair Terry Handley officially introduced president-elect聽Jay Byers 鈥�93聽at a news conference and reception. There was standing room only with over 175 people in attendance, including 麻豆APP faculty, staff, students,聽alumni聽and trustees, as well as local community leaders and Iowa media outlets.

Before introducing the president-elect, 麻豆APP Board Chair, Terry Handley, thanked Presidential Search Committee Chair Susan Voss and the entire committee, while also expressing the board鈥檚 strong confidence in Byers鈥� leadership.

鈥淛ay is first and foremost a person of integrity who possesses a genuine empathy for others,鈥� said Handley. 鈥淗e exemplifies such passion for 麻豆APP and its mission through his efforts both as a proud alumnus and engaged trustee. His vision for the future allows for countless opportunities to partner with others in higher education, as well as with business and community leaders. Such efforts will provide necessary support and advocacy for future academic and cocurricular offerings to enhance the student experience.鈥�

麻豆APP staff and faculty also shared their excitement about Byers鈥� presidency, including Co-Department Chair of Chemistry/Physics & Associate Professor of Chemistry/Physics, Lindsay聽Ditzler. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly excited to see how Jay鈥檚 local connections impact the future of 麻豆APP,鈥� said聽Ditzler. She also spoke about her experience working on the presidential search committee. 鈥淲orking on the search committee was a wonderful experience. The team was very collaborative and open to all voices.鈥澛�

Byers says he is humbled by the confidence demonstrated by the committee and board of trustees.

鈥淚t is truly an honor and privilege to be named the President of 麻豆APP,鈥� said Byers. I am humbled by the opportunity to give back and pay it forward to a place that has played a critical role in my development as a student, leader, and person, a place that has helped advance my career, and a place that I am deeply passionate about honoring its history and ensuring its future success.鈥�

鈥淲e聽have the opportunity to聽make 麻豆APP the best small liberal arts college in the Midwest. But it is going to take all of us working together. Together, we can tell the 麻豆APP story far and wide. Together, we can all do our part to help with recruitment, retention, and identifying new resources. Together, we can stay better connected with our alumni, our community, and our other key stakeholders. Together, we can, and we will take 麻豆APP to new heights.鈥�

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What is next?

A member of 麻豆APP鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2012, Byers will become the College鈥檚 25th president聽succeeding Marsha聽Kelliher, who is retiring this summer.聽He was approved聽by the board of trustees聽on Friday, May 12 and will assume College office for the 2022-2023 academic year.