ASHLAND – Dr. Frank Pettigrew, who served as Ashland University provost since 2007, will move out of the provost office on Aug. 1 and into the role of provost emeritus. As provost emeritus, Pettigrew will serve as a consultant, working with the new interim president and a new interim provost for the remainder of the 2014 calendar year and then be on sabbatical leave until May 2015.
“With the new interim president coming on board in July and the change in leadership at Ashland University, it is a good time for me to make this move,” Pettigrew said. “This will allow the interim president to appoint a new interim provost and provide a new leadership team for the institution.”
A 1972 Ashland University graduate, Pettigrew said he was honored to serve as provost at the institution where his days in higher education began. Pettigrew had served as dean of AU’s Dwight Schar College of Education since 2002 prior to being named provost in 2007.
“At Ashland, I had the opportunity to be a faculty member, department chair, dean and provost,” Pettigrew said. “I was so thrilled when I had the chance to come back to my alma mater and teach. Serving as dean was a great opportunity and the move to the provost position was a very exciting challenge for me. I was very proud that I was given the opportunity to have a direct influence on the academic future of this University.”
Some of Pettigrew’s academic accomplishments during his tenure include:
- Coordinating the acquisition of the Med Central College of Nursing with the Ohio Board of Regents and the Higher Learning Commission
- Developing the Global Education requirement for all students
- Spearheading the formulation of the Graduate School
- Developing the Founders School of Continuing Education
- Leading the development of the Center for Academic Support
- Reducing the minimal number of credit hours needed to complete an undergraduate bachelor’s degree from 128 to 120.
- Instituting a number of three-year degree programs that allow students to earn a quality private education in less time and for less money.
- Establishing a four-year graduation guarantee program that will help keep college costs predictable for families.
- Launching a five-year accelerated accounting degree program that allows students to complete bachelor’s and master’s programs in less time than it would for separate degrees.
- Establishing a host of new academic programs including the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the Master of Health and Risk Communication, and the Master of Science in Applied Exercise Physiology.
“I am proud to say that we, as an institution, have gained a significant advantage in our academic profile by consistently hiring outstanding faculty and leading the development of quality programs and creating innovative academic entities over the past seven years,” Pettigrew said. “That is probably the achievement of which I am most proud.”
AU President Dr. Fred Finks called working with Pettigrew at Ashland University one of his most rewarding experiences. “He has been one of the most dedicated individuals I have ever worked alongside. He has served with true integrity and has led the University’s academic programs into prominence. He has been a good friend and colleague and will leave an indelible mark on the University,” Finks said.
Dr. Faye Grund, dean of the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said Pettigrew’s service to Ashland University has done much to advance the University academically.
“His innovation and strategic planning resulted in Ashland University receiving approval to acquire the MedCentral College of Nursing,” Grund said. “His progressive, transformational leadership will be missed at the University. Most especially, his humble spirit as a leader motivates others to diligently consider how best to improve student outcomes leading to bright futures for Ashland University graduates.”
Dr. Jeff Russell, dean of the Dauch College of Business and Economics, said, “Frank always approaches the challenging and sometimes impossible demands of the Provost’s office with integrity and transparency and with a goal of pursuing continuous improvement in AU’s academics. I will especially miss Frank’s support for innovative new ideas and his exceptional skill as a mentor.”
Pettigrew served as director of the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport at Kent State University before coming to Ashland University as chair of the Department of Sport Sciences in 1997. He was previously on the faculty at the University of Idaho and Northwestern University. He earned a bachelor of science in education degree at AU, before going on to earn a master of science degree from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Idaho.
Pettigrew and his wife, Amy, reside in Ashland. They are the parents of two daughters, Emily and Hallie.
