The Provost at Kansas Wesleyan University is retiring.

According to the school, Dr. A. Wayne Lowen, Executive Vice President and Provost at Kansas Wesleyan University, has announced his plan to retire from his position at the end of June 2014. Dr. Lowen has ably led the university’s academic areas since his appointment in July 2010. During the 2012-13 academic year, he graciously served as the Interim President for ten months.

“Dr. Lowen’s extensive academic and leadership experience has been integral to the institution’s success during the last four years,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, President and CEO of Kansas Wesleyan University. “We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to the university.”

In the last year, two new majors in Emergency Management and Environmental Science/Resiliency have been added to the academic offerings. This past fall, the faculty launched a fulsome review of the curriculum with a plan to implement a new Liberal Studies (general education) curriculum in fall 2015. Several major institutional projects are currently underway, including the implementation of a new service-learning program, the completion of a major retention and a data evidence file to prepare for Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation in 2016-17, the completion of significant strategic planning initiatives, and improvements to the nursing program.

The transition to new academic leadership will begin with a national search for a new Executive Vice President and Provost (EVP/P). The search process will begin immediately, with the goal of filling the position by July 1, 2014. The search committee, chaired by Thompson, will be comprised of members of the faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees. The position announcement can be found on the university’s website at http://www.kwu.edu/about-kwu/job-opportunities.