SMU dean named Hendrix College president

After a nationwide search for the new president of Hendrix College, the trustees of that institution have identified Dedman College Dean Bill Tsutsui for the position. He has accepted the offer and will leave SMU May 31, 2014, to assume the presidency. His wife, Marjorie Swann, will hold a tenured faculty position at Hendrix, which is located in Conway, Arkansas.

Bill Tsutsui

“We deeply appreciate the leadership of Bill Tsutsui during the past three years,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “During that time he has worked collaboratively to lead significant and rapid progress in developing innovative programs, establishing new endowed chairs and advancing research. It is not surprising that Dean Tsutsui would be tapped for a college presidency as the next step in his distinguished career as an administrator and educator. We wish him the best of luck.”

Dean Tsutsui has been a strong advocate in cultivating support for Dedman College, working closely with the Dedman College Committee of The Second Century Campaign and the Dedman College Executive Board. Dedman’s relationships with these leaders will remain intact as a major asset in attracting a new dean for the College.

Recent innovations such as establishment of the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, the strength of current programs such as the Tower Center for Political Studies, significant research achievements and the College’s tradition of strong teaching will continue to serve as the foundation of Dedman’s ongoing progress.

“While we will miss Bill, who became a friend to all of us during his time here, his accomplishments and leadership leave us well-positioned to maintain SMU’s rising quality and to attract an outstanding new dean,” said Paul Ludden, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The success of The Second Century Campaign has brought national recognition and prominence to SMU and Dedman that will serve as a strong foundation for new leadership.”

After May 31, Associate Dean Peter Moore will serve as interim dean of the College. “His past experience in this role and his continuing leadership within Dedman ensure that progress will continue in a seamless fashion,” Ludden continued. A search committee will be chaired by William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology, and its membership will be named in the next few weeks.