Business, education deans resign

Two of Truman's academic deans, Renee Wachter, Dean of the School of Business and Sam Minner, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education, are leaving Truman for positions at other schools.

"They have both been here for a while and have accomplished quite a bit in their roles as dean," University President Troy Paino said. "I think that they were both ready to take a job with a little more responsibility."

Wachter will be taking the position of chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, which is the equivalent of President.

Her decision to leave Truman stemmed from an opportunity to serve a school similar to Truman arose.  

"Being at a place like Truman made me an attractive candidate for them because they knew that I had lived and worked in a liberal arts and sciences environment," Wachter said.

Wachter said she'll take the devotion to undergraduate research and the environment of constant assessment with her.

It has not been determined where or how her replacement will be selected, but the decision of an internal or an external search should come soon, Wachter. The School of Business will be able to handle her departure smoothly, the school has a strong, internal governance process that will make the transition easier and its alumni will support whomever comes into the position, Wachter said.

Her new position officially will begin July 1. She will be leaving Truman after working here for five years.

Minner will be leaving Truman to take on the position of provost at Radford University -Virginia.

The responsibilities of the position will be managing the entire academic enterprise of the University, Minner said.

Minner said it was time for him to move on to new challenges, after 11 years here at Truman.

"I am leaving because I wanted to take on greater university wide responsibilities," Minner said. "I was looking for a change."

Minner said Truman has helped him to grow as a professional and he looks forward to utilizing the things he has learned at Truman.

There is an internal search going on within the School of Health Sciences and Education for Minner's replacement.

"We have numerous individuals who are more than capable of being a really effective dean," Minner said. "When one of them comes into the position, it is going to be great."

Some concerns have been raised about the budgetary issues affecting staffing at Truman, but Wachter said this was not a consideration for her advancement.

Minner said money did not play an issue. His decision to leave was spurred by his wanting more responsibilities and it was a good time for his family to move, he said.

"It is just normal advancement," Paino said. "Forty-eight out of the 50 states are going through the same thing. I don't think they are going to any situation that is much better than it is here. I think it is more about the opportunities than escaping a bad situation."