University of Texas at Tyler President Dr. Rodney Mabry embraces his wife Merle after announcing his plans to retire during a strategic planning meeting Friday Feb. 26, 2016. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

After guiding  The University of Texas at Tyler to growth in enrollment, facilities and academics, President Dr. Rodney H. Mabry on Friday announced his impending retirement.

Mabry, who was appointed president by the UT System Board of Regents on July 1, 1998, said his retirement would be effective Dec. 31 after 18 1/2 years at the helm.

“We need a new captain to drive the ship,” Mabry, 68, said.”Everything is rolling well. It’s just.the right time to step aside in favor of a new president and let new energy and new ideas come into play.”

His wife, Merle, was at his side working with him the whole time, Mabry said, adding, “We had a good run.” His eyes filled with tears.

Upon stepping down as president, Mabry will remain associated with the univerity on the faculty as director of the new Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Research in the College of Business and Technology.

The surprise came during a faculty/staff meeting called for the purpose of presenting a strategic plan for the university for the next 10 years through 2025.

Mabry acknowledged UT Tyler has seen “phenonmenal growth” from a sleepy commuter university when he came to Tyler into a thriving universty but said he wants to let a new person shape the university in the future.

The university’s enrollment when Mabry arrived stood at approximately 3,000 and today totals about 8,860 students. UT Tyler added four doctoral programs during Maybry’s tenure.

Mabry led in establishment of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy that opened last August and construction of W.T. Brookshire Hall for $26.5 million to house the college. Presently underway is construction of a $2.8 million Alumni House and a $6.5 million addition to the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center to house the Center for the Musical Arts.

Under Mabry, the Herrington Patriot Center was created, athletics was expanded to 15 NCAA athletics teams, the Longview and Palestine campuses were built, the Houston Engineering Center was established and the Ralph and MaryJohn Spence Fountain and Plaza along with other expansions.

“I am tremendously proud of what all of us together have accomplished here, and I am extremely excited about the future of this university,” Mabry said. “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.”

Tom Mullins, president/ceo, Tyler Economic Development Council, said under Mabry, the university has had record enrollment, added degrees, including master’s  and doctorates, experienced new construction and become a major partner with groups in town helping them become successful.

Mabry has served in the field of higher education for 42 years. He came to UT Tyler from the University of Tulsa, where he was dean of the business college.

In addition to leading UT Tyler, Mabry has worked in the Tyler community in many capacities. He currently serves on the boards of the Tyler Economic Development Council, Carter BloodCare, Discovery Science Place, Bishop T.K. Gorman Regional Catholic School and the Tyler Area Business Education Council.

He is a former board member of the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, United Way of Smith County, All Saints Episcopal School, East Texas Symphony Orchestra and Tyler-Smith County P-16 Council

Twitter: @TMT_Betty

 

WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING ABOUT MABRY

“He’s made a tremendous impact on this university. His legacy will be felt forever. We will miss him terribly and will always be indebted to him for his leadership for the university.”

– Dr. Ross Sherman, dean, College of Education and Psycholgy

“He’s taken the university from a plae that was very ssmall to the tremendous place it is today. He’s done a great amount of work for a long time. It’s been an honor to work with him.”

– Student government President Alexander Free

“(Mabry) has been a tremendous asset to the community. He has brought the university to a higher level. His legacy will be remembered forever.”

– Henry Bell, chief operating officer for Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

“(Mabry) did an outstanding job as president. It was always a pleasure working with him on issues important to our community. We will miss his leadership at UT Tyler.”

– State Sen. Kevin Eltife

  

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

  

About Dr. Rodney H. Mabry

Dean of business college, University of Tulsa, 1994-98

Department chair and professor of finance, Clemson University, 1984-94

Head, department of economics and finance, University of Louisiana-Monroe, 1979-1984

Economics faculty member, Clemson University, 1973-79

Field research associate, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., two years

Chair, Texas International Education Consortium Executive Committee

Former president and members, American Southwest Conference Council of Presidents

Member board of directors, American Association of University Administrators

Member, several committees of American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Bachelor’s degree in economics, University of Kentucky

Ph.D. in economics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Recipient of University Management Certificate, Carnegie Mellon University

Co-author of a textbook on economics

Author of more than 50 articles in numerous academic journals

How Mabry’s Successor Will Be Chosen

The process for selecting presidents of University of Texas institutions is guided by the UT System Board of Regents, according to Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, executive director of public affairs and media relations for the UT System.

The regents name an advisory committee. That advisory committee works with a search firm. There is generally a national search.

“They solicit input from stakeholders externally through our (the UT System) web site so anyone can nominate someone,” Ms. LaCoste-Caputo said.

The advisory committee along with the search firm identify potential candidates and bring those names to the board of regents and the board makes a decision.

The timeframe for the process varies, but a recently concluded search for the president of UT Dallas took six months.