Defiance College names chief academic officer

5/30/2009

DEFIANCE Defiance College has named an exercise science professor as the chief academic officer of the institution.

Timothy Rickabaugh will serve as interim vice president for academic affairs and academic dean beginning June 15. He is filling the position of Catharine O Connell, provost, who is leaving to become chief academic officer at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia.

Ms. O Connell also has been serving as the college s acting president until Mark Gordon, former dean of the University of Detroit Mercy school, takes over July 1 as the private liberal arts college s 18th president.

Mr. Rickabaugh, who has been at Defiance College since 1997, will serve as the chief academic officer for a two-year term and maintain his responsibilities as a professor of exercise science.

He has a PhD from Syracuse University, a master s degree from Miami University, and a bachelor s degree from Ohio Wesleyan.