Tiffin U. has new president

`I'm impressed with what I know about Tiffin's improvement and expansion in recent years,' says Paul Marion, president of Franklin College in Indiana, who will take over July 1 as president of Tiffin University. `It seems like a very dynamic and entrepreneurial institution.'

TIFFIN - Tiffin University announced yesterday that it has hired Paul Marion, president of Franklin College in Indiana, to replace retiring president George Kidd, Jr.

Dr. Marion, 56, who has headed the small Indiana school since 1997, will begin his new job in Tiffin on July 1, 2002, when Dr. Kidd retires.

Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

“I'm impressed with what I know about Tiffin's improvement and expansion in recent years,” Dr. Marion said. “It seems like a very dynamic and entrepreneurial institution.”

Under Dr. Kidd, 63, who became president in 1981, Tiffin University increased its enrollment from about 375 to 1,600 and grew into a campus of 11 buildings.

“President Kidd has been a very successful and effective president, and I'll certainly want to visit with him and make sure the transition is smooth,” Dr. Marion said.

Gary Heminger, chairman of the Tiffin University board of trustees, said he is confident Dr. Marion will continue the progress made during Dr. Kidd's administration. “The board of trustees is very pleased to have found such an outstanding candidate with a distinct, proven track record,” Mr. Heminger said in a statement. “Under Dr. Marion's leadership, the board is confident Tiffin University will continue to persevere in building a quality education and in providing personal attention to its students.”

Dr. Marion has worked as a college-level administrator for 33 years. Before joining Franklin College, a school of about 1,000 students near Indianapolis, he was president of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities for 31/2 years.

Previously, he spent 31/2 years as chancellor of the state college system of West Virginia and was director of higher education for the state of Arkansas for five years.

During his tenure at Franklin College, the school completed a $40 million fund-raising campaign, increased its enrollment, and expanded its academic programs.

“There were seven or eight major goals set when I came to Franklin five years ago, and all those have been accomplished,” he said. “Primarily, I was looking for a new challenge and being involved in an institution that is moving in the right direction.”

Dr. Marion said Tiffin University's search committee contacted him about the job and he was impressed with the school, city, and surrounding area.

“When the offer came, it seemed like a good opportunity in terms of my career,” he said.