The Board of Trustees of Marymount University has announced the selection of Matthew D. Shank, Ph.D., as the University’s sixth president, effective July 1, 2011. Shank will succeed Dr. James E. Bundschuh, who has served as Marymount’s president since 2001.

 

In announcing the appointment, Barry J. Fitzpatrick, chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, said, “Dr. Shank has demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, strong commitment to Catholic higher education, and an impressive academic background. He is a well respected teacher, scholar, and administrator. He is also a leader who clearly understands the mission of Catholic higher education and works to advance that mission. We believe that Dr. Shank will articulate a clear vision for Marymount University’s future and inspire others to join in making that vision a reality. The Board of Trustees and the entire campus community look forward to working with him as we embark on the next phase of our journey.”

 

Shank currently serves as dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Dayton, a national, doctoral-level university sponsored by the Society of Mary. He said of his appointment, “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Marymount University, an institution well known for its Catholic character, academic excellence, and strong commitment to students. I look forward to working with Marymount’s trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to carry forward its mission to educate students intellectually, morally, and spiritually for successful lives.”

 

Mr. Fitzpatrick noted that “Dr. Shank understands and shares the values of Marymount’s founding order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. He will work with the Marymount community to perpetuate and build upon the RSHM tradition.” Shank will be Marymount’s second lay president. The University was founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1950, and its first four presidents were RSHM Sisters.

 

Shank joined the University of Dayton in 2008 as dean of the School of Business Administration and professor of Marketing. During his tenure there, he led the revision of the MBA curriculum, created two Academic Centers of Excellence, established an MBA concentration and certificate in Cybersecurity, led the School through a successful AACSB reaffirmation, and designed a “Business and Marianist Values” Living/Learning Community for first-year students. He also established a Center for Academic Success to provide student support in the areas of advising and career services; created a strategic diversity plan for the School; and started “Flyer Consulting,” a nonprofit, student-run consulting business to assist nonprofit organizations in the Dayton region with their business challenges. In addition, during his tenure as dean, Shank raised more than $12 million for scholarships, centers, and programs within the School of Business.

 

Prior to joining the University of Dayton, Shank was a faculty member at Northern Kentucky University. There, as chair of the Department of Management and Marketing, he designed a university-wide marketing communication plan, conducted image studies for the university, developed strategic plans for the Management and Marketing Department and the Steely Library, and assisted corporate and not-for-profit clients in developing their strategic plans. During the 2003-04 academic year, he was an American Council on Education Fellow in the Office of the Chancellor at Vanderbilt University. Shank has also held academic appointments at the University of Mississippi and Southern Illinois University.

 

An accomplished scholar, Shank has written several books, published numerous articles, and presented at many conferences. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Missouri/St. Louis.

 

Marymount University President Dr. James E. Bundschuh notes, “I am confident that Dr. Shank will use his remarkable abilities to further advance Marymount on its strategic journey toward excellence and distinction. I wish him and the entire Marymount community much success with their endeavors.”