MARTIN, Tenn. — Dr. Philip W. Conn, president of Dickinson University in North Dakota, was appointed Thursday chancellor of the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Conn’s appointment was approved by the UT Board of Trustees on recommendation of UT President Joe Johnson.
He was one of six final candidates for the position, which came open in January with the retirement of Dr. Margaret Perry after 11 years in the post.
“Phil Conn received outstanding evaluations from faculty, staff, students and community leaders,” Johnson said.
“Phil and his wife, Donna, are delightful people. They make friends easily and they will fit comfortably with the UT-Martin campus and West Tennessee community.”
Conn said he shared Johnson’s sense that he would fit well at UT-Martin.
“UT-Martin is clearly the type of public, regional institution that I can serve knowledgeably and enthusiastically,” Conn said. “Its mission and programs are similar to those of the universities where I have succeeded in administrative positions.”
UT Senior Vice President Homer Fisher, who chaired the search advisory committee for Johnson, said Conn has vision, energy and enthusiasm.
“Dr. Conn can continue to build on the fine foundation laid by Margaret Perry, the faculty, staff, students and supporters of UT-Martin,” Fisher said.
The appointment is effective July 1.
Conn, who was reared in Cleveland, Tenn., is the brother of Dr. Paul Conn, president of Lee University, Cleveland.
Conn earned the bachelor of arts degree in biology from Berea College, Berea, Ky., and the master of arts in sociology from UT-Knoxville. He also holds masters and doctoral degrees in public administration from the University of Southern California.
At Dickinson State, Conn was president and professor of business. Prior to Dickinson, he was vice president for university advancement and associate professor of management at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.
Other positions Conn has held include vice president, Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky.; executive director of the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Frankfort, Ky.; and director of alumni affairs at Berea College.
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Contact: Dr. Joe Johnson (423-974-2141)