ROCHESTER — The Oakland University Board of Trustees has appointed George W. Hynd as the school’s new president. Hynd becomes the sixth president in the university’s history, succeeding Betty J. Youngblood, who had served as interim president since July 2013.
Hynd, who formerly served as provost and executive vice president of academic affairs for the College of Charleston in South Carolina, was selected after an extensive search led by a 12-member Oakland University Ad Hoc Presidential Search Committee headed by board chair Michael Kramer. The Dallas-based recruiting firm of R. William Funk & Associates assisted the committee.
Hynd’s appointment as OU president comes as the university continues to reach new heights in student population, academics, and capital enhancements. During an open forum on July 2nd, Hynd says he welcomes the opportunity “to go out and tell the story of what’s happening at Oakland University,” both locally and in Lansing.
With more than 40 years of educational experience, Hynd’s career includes a number of other leadership roles at nationally-recognized universities. While serving as dean of the College of Education at Purdue University from 2003 to 2007, Hynd created two new multidisciplinary centers – the Center for P-12 Engagement and the Center for Research and Engagement in Science and Mathematics Education. In addition, a $14 million development campaign led to a three-fold increase in the number of undergraduate scholarships as well as the establishment of four new endowed professorships in the college. From 1979 to 2003, Hynd served in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Georgia, where he serveed as chair of the division for the education of exceptional children, director of the school of professional studies and associate dean of research and external affairs.
Hynd earned an Doctor of Education degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Education degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Guam, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Pepperdine University.
