Three leaders promoted; new faculty welcomed

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3 Key Positions
[/media-credit] C. Ben Mitchell, Bryan Carrier and Michele Atkins fulfill new positions for the 2014-2015 school year. | Submitted Photo
The start of the 2014-15 academic year brought the announcement of three key leadership promotions and twelve new faculty members. Union University president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver announced the promotion of three leaders: C. Ben Mitchell, Bryan Carrier and Michele Atkins.

Mitchell, Graves professor of moral philosophy, was named interim provost and vice president of academic affairs on June 4. At the beginning of the fall semester, Oliver announced that Mitchell was named to the position permanently.

“Union University consists of some extraordinary leaders, including our new president, Dub Oliver,” Mitchell said in a Union press release. “It’s a high honor to be able to serve him, my colleagues, and our students through this office.”

Oliver also announced that Carrier, who has been serving as interim vice president of student life, will fill the position permanently.

“Bryan Carrier is thoughtful and insightful, he is trusted and trustworthy, he is a servant leader, and his philosophy of student life work is spot on for what we are pursuing at Union,” Oliver said in the release.

Finally, Atkins, professor of education, was given the additional title of assistant provost for accreditation and research.

“Michele Atkins is widely respected for her gifts as a teacher, researcher, and administrator,” Oliver said.

Atkins will serve as Accreditation Liaison with The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She will also assist in discipline specific accreditations, Oliver said.

“Additionally, she will lead our Institutional Review Board process and find ways to encourage and enhance research among all of us at Union,” Oliver said.

At fall convocation on Aug. 19, Mitchell recognized twelve new full-time faculty for the 2014-15 academic year. The new faculty members are: Christine Bailey, assistant professor of English; Carla Cushman, associate professor of education; Philip P. Davignon, assistant professor of sociology; Christina L. Davis, instructor of nursing; Victoria Malone, assistant professor of languages; Kay Montgomery, visiting assistant professor of social work; Phyllis Moore, assistant professor of nursing; Anna Poore, assistant professor of library services; Karen Sinclair, assistant professor of athletic training; Allorie Smith, assistant professor of pharmacy; Brad Spencer, assistant professor of pharmacy and William E. Thierfelder, associate professor of biology.

 

 

 

 

 

About Jenaye White 38 Articles
Jenaye White, class of 2015 public relations alumna, is former managing editor of the Cardinal & Cream. A native of Paducah, Ky., White is now a publicist at Lifeway Christian Resources. She enjoys trying new coffee, playing her guitar and her favorite 'once-a-year' hobby is snow skiing. Follow her on Twitter: @jenayewhite