The new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Tom Ormond, assumed his new post this week.
President Bonita C. Jacobs announced Ormond’s appointment in March, following a national search. At the time, Ormond was serving as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Darton State College, where he was on temporary assignment from his position as senior associate provost for academic affairs and director of graduate programs at Georgia College.
"The faculty, staff and students whom I spoke with throughout the interview process have shown that the interdisciplinary culture at UNG creates opportunities to make a difference in the world. I look forward to listening, learning and working with the entire university community to build on the institution's many strengths," Ormond said.
As UNG's chief academic officer, Ormond has broad responsibility for leading UNG's academic programs and offerings through its colleges, institutes and libraries.
"Tom is a creative, forward-looking leader who shares our commitment to academic excellence and student success," Jacobs said. "I am confident that he will provide vision and perspective that will sustain the momentum we have built and advance the goals of our strategic plan."
A professor of health and physical education, Ormond conducts research in kinesiology and physical education and has published numerous scholarly articles on these subjects. He previously held academic and administrative appointments at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Sonoma State University, and Ithaca College.
"Tom's strong track record of collaboration and his reputation as an effective leader who listens carefully and considers a diverse range of views provide a strong foundation to lead UNG's academic programs," Jacobs said.
A 1979 graduate of New Zealand's Massey University with a bachelor's degree in teaching, Ormond earned a Master of Science degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1985 and a Ph.D. in teacher education in physical education with an emphasis in applied behavioral analysis from Ohio State University in 1988.
Ormond succeeds Richard Oates, who served as interim provost from July 2015 through May 2016 and is now the vice president of UNG's Gainesville Campus.
