Walter F. Wagor, Ph.D., has decided to return to a faculty position, after having served successfully as dean and chief administrative officer of »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯ at Stark for the past four years. His last day as dean is June 30, 2014.
βWalter Wagor is a paragon of steady, wise and experienced leadership, and thus it is with regret that I accept his resignation,β said Todd Diacon, »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯'s senior vice president of academic affairs and provost. βI do so, however, knowing that he will continue in the »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯ family, and that he will return to his outstanding research on student success, which combines in the best manner a commitment to advancing and sharing knowledge. We are fortunate to have Walter at »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯, and his shoes will be difficult to fill on the Stark Campus.β
Wagor became dean of »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯ Stark, the only public university in Stark County and the largest regional campus of »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯, on Aug. 1, 2010. Under his leadership, the campus has developed a master plan directing the construction of a new sciences building and changes in the Fine Arts building; revised and updated a strategic plan that will guide the campus over the next several years; added new faculty; brought new bachelor's degrees to the community; significantly increased and refocused financial aid to improve recruitment and retention of high-quality students; hired top-quality faculty and staff; implemented new technologies; and remodeled student service to enhance the quality of services delivered.
βI am, and always will be an academic at heart,β Wagor said. βSo, I look forward to reinvigorating that part of my professional life and to being more directly involved in the academic life of the university and in the lives of the students.β
Starting fall 2014, Wagor will serve as a full-time faculty member in psychology within »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯'s Regional Campus system. Before the start of the fall semester, from July 1 through Aug. 16, he will serve as senior assistant to Wanda Thomas, the associate provost for »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯ system integration.
βIt has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Wagor over the past few years,β Thomas said. βHe is someone who is dedicated to the mission of the Regional Campuses and makes decisions to ensure that students receive a high-quality learning experience. It is not surprising that Walter has chosen to return to teaching and to continue his scholarship in teaching and learning. I know that his students will benefit from his knowledge and commitment to student success.β
Diacon will consult with members of the Stark Campus regarding an interim dean and chief administrative officer.
For more information about »ΖΙ«Φ±²₯ Stark, visit .
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
Cynthia Williams, cdwillia@kent.edu, 330-244-3262