Seasoned Academic Leader Finds New Opportunity
"We congratulate Dr. Ellis on this significant advancement in his career," Hardin-Simmons president, Dr. Lanny Hall said in a letter to faculty and staff.
Dr. Bill Ellis, who has been the Provost and chief academic officer at Hardin-Simmons since 2001, broke the news that he had accepted the president's job at another Baptist university.
Howard Payne has been looking for a president since March, when Dr. Lanny Hall announced that he would be coming back to HSU for a second term as president. (Hall was president of HSU for 10 years before becoming chancellor in 2001 and then later taking the president's role at HPU.)
In a statement to the media concerning Ellis's new opportunity, Hall said, "While his leaving represents a major loss for HSU, we are happy for him and very glad that he will still be in Texas, leading another well-respected institution with which we have close ties." Hall went on to say, "Dr. Ellis is a proven and dedicated academic leader. We were not at all surprised that the Board of Howard Payne pursued him to be the new leader there."
Ellis told fellow HSU employees, "While Diana and I are very excited by this new opportunity, we will be leaving Hardin-Simmons with a sense of sadness because of all of you who have made our years here so satisfying."
As to finding a replacement for Dr. Ellis, Hall says, "I will be announcing the appointment of an interim academic officer in the next few days. We will launch a nationwide search to fill the position with the hope of naming a new academic officer within the next nine months."
Ellis and Dr. Hall will be working together during this transition to ensure things continue moving smoothly as the beginning of the new academic year approaches.
Ellis's resignation was no surprise to Hall. "Dr. Ellis and I have been in conversation about this possibility over the last several weeks," he said. "This is a great opportunity for him and Howard Payne will benefit from his seasoned academic leadership."
Ellis will be starting his new job at HPU next week.
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