Mabry Announces His Retirement

February 26, 2016

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Mabry announces retirement as UT Tyler president

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February 26, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

After almost 18 years at the helm of The University of Texas at Tyler, President Rodney H. Mabry announced Friday that he would be retiring from that position effective Dec. 31, 2016.

Mabry made the announcement Friday as part of an extensive look into the future of the university.

"We have amazing new ventures planned for the future of this university, and I am looking forward to seeing it grow and continue to be the one of the best universities in this state and this region," said Mabry. "But the time has simply come for me to step aside and let someone with new ideas and new energy implement our plans and lead UT Tyler into the future."

After a sabbatical, he said he plans to return to the university's faculty in 2018. Mabry holds the Dr. Ben R. Fisch Chair of Economics and Finance at UT Tyler. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mabry and his wife, Merle, came to Tyler when he accepted the presidency in 1998. A Kentucky native, Mabry came to UT Tyler from the University of Tulsa, where he was dean of the business college. He has also held positions at Clemson University and University of Louisiana-Monroe.

During his time as president, UT Tyler has grown from just over 3,000 students to nearly 9,000 students.

"I have been truly fortunate to have the very best faculty and staff possible—people with a can-do attitude who always see the glass as half-full. I have been surrounded by bright, hardworking, energetic individuals my entire career here, both within this university and in this great community" said Mabry. "Not every president is so fortunate."

Since Mabry's arrival, the university has added:
• the Riter Family Millennium Carillon Tower and Plaza;
• Ralph and Mary John Spence Fountain and Plaza;
• the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy;
• the W. T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College;
• Bill Ratliff Building-North and Bill Ratliff Building-South totaling 130,000 square feet and home of the College of Engineering;
• campus in Longview with Garland Hall;
• campus in Palestine with Mathis Hall;
• an engineering center in Houston;
• four doctoral programs;
• several student residence facilities, including the Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Z. Ornelas Residence Hall, Patriot Village and Eagles' Landing;
• the David G. and Jacqueline M. Braithwaite Building, home of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences;
• The Herrington Patriot Center recreation facility, with the Maytee Fisch Arena, Jean Lancaster Academic Wing and Vaughn Therapy and Recreation Pool;
• 15 NCAA athletics teams, plus venues including Irwin Ballpark with the Bob & Mary Irwin Baseball Field and Suddenlink Softball Field, and Perkins-Citizens 1st Bank Soccer Complex;
• the Center for the Musical Arts building;
• the Alumni House, a 12,000 square feet alumni center under construction.

"I am tremendously proud of what all of us together have accomplished here, and I am extremely excited about the future of this university," said Mabry. "We have accomplished a great many things: buildings, landmarks, academic programs and athletic teams and venues. I am so fortunate to have been able to be part of something so amazing for so many years. The next phase of my life, however, belongs to my wife of 45 years, Merle, our children and six grandchildren."