April 16, 2009
Belmont Provost Named as LaGrange President
Dr. Dan McAlexander to start new position at Georgia college on July 1
Belmont University Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander was named today as the 25th President of LaGrange College, a liberal arts institution located southwest of Atlanta. McAlexander will assume his new position on July 1, 2009 after eight years of service to Belmont University.
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I join the entire Belmont University community in congratulating Dr. McAlexander on his new position. We are proud of his accomplishments at Belmont and grateful for all that he has contributed to this campus. Today we celebrate his achievements and offer our very best wishes to LaGrange College, Dr. McAlexander and his family.”
A graduate of the University of Kansas, McAlexander received his Master’s in Music from The Julliard School and his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. McAlexander came to Belmont University in 2001, and during his tenure, Belmont has experienced an overall enrollment increase of 68 percent. The university has also seen spikes in average ACT scores, from 24 to 26, and in the six-year graduation rate, from 50 percent to 67 percent. In addition to adding 40 new faculty positions, the university has launched a number of new academic programs, including pharmacy, Asian studies, social entrepreneurship and convergence media journalism.
“It has been a great privilege to serve Belmont University,” said McAlexander. “Under the leadership of Dr. Fisher, this university has grown at unprecedented levels. Our academic offerings and the qualifications of our incoming classes have increased. I have enjoyed every moment working with Belmont's exceptional faculty, staff and students and will continue to follow their accomplishments and to take pride in the university's future progress."
A four-year liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College is ranked in the top 10 and as a “best value” among 95 Southern baccalaureate colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The college is the oldest private institution of higher learning in Georgia and has an enrollment of about 1,000 students.
“In Dr. McAlexander, the Presidential Search Committee found a highly qualified, experienced and visionary leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and is appreciative of LaGrange College’s mission of challenging the mind and inspiring the soul,” said LaGrange Board of Trustees Chair Bill Hodges, who also served as chair of the search committee.
Dr. Marcia McDonald, who has served Belmont as a faculty member since 1981 and in the role of associate provost since 2002, has agreed to serve as Interim Provost effective July 1, until the permanent replacement is named. In addition, the university's search for a new provost has begun, with the search committee being chaired by Dr. Jason Rogers, vice president for administration and university counsel.
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Named one of the top two “Schools to Watch” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is a fast-growing community of more than 5,400 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 20 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
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