TTU Committee Appoints Interim Vice President For Student Affairs

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees Executive Committee has named Dr. Robert Owens as interim vice president for Student Affairs.

President Phil Oldham said Owens will serve that position during TTU’s national search for a permanent replacement for Marc Burnett.

“Vice President Marc Burnnet will be retiring officially at the end of this month,” Oldham said. “I’m fortunate to be able to say that he will be continuing on a part-time basis as the Chief Diversity Officer. We intend to maintain our momentum that we have currently with the diversity initiative.”

Owens currently serves as the assistant vice president for Student Affairs and oversees the university’s Diversity Scholarship, Multicultural Affairs, Service Learning and RACE program.

“We have great confidence in Rob and his ability to maintain the momentum in students affairs,” Oldham said. “Lee Wray will be chairing the search for the permanent vice president and that search is beginning at this time.”

In the meantime, Tech continues another national search for a new vice president for Research and Economic Development. Oldham said that search has now entered the interview stage.

“Provost Bruce is chairing that search,” Oldham said. “It’s my understanding that they would anticipate having candidates on campus for interviews early in the first part of this next calendar year.”

The Executive Committee appointed Dr. Francis Otuonye to serve as interim vice president during a special-called meeting in August. Dr. Harvill Eaton stepped aside from the Research and Economic Development position earlier this year.