FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          April 24, 2006 

BERAN TO STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT OF NORTHWESTERN

            After leading Northwestern Oklahoma State University for five years, Dr. Paul B. Beran will step down as president of the institution on June 30.

            Beran has been appointed as the new chancellor of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and will begin his duties there on July 1.

            “I am excited about this new opportunity, but I will certainly miss being a part of the Northwestern community,” Beran said. “I have made so many special friendships during the past years and have had the privilege of working with an incredible group of administrators, faculty and staff. Their dedication and passion for teaching and learning is unrivaled.

            “I leave with a great sense of pride and accomplishment because Northwestern’s employees, students, alumni and friends worked together to move the University forward. I expect Northwestern will accomplish great things in the future.”

            Beran became the 18th president of Northwestern in July 2001 after serving in administrative posts in Massachusetts and Missouri.

            Early in his presidency, Beran guided the university through state-mandated budget cuts while maintaining services and avoiding layoffs. He also was instrumental in streamlining the administrative structure of the school, leading a successful strategic planning process, and guiding the school through a series of accreditation processes. The fall of 2004 saw enrollment at Northwestern reach a 31-year high of 2,200 students.

            In 2005, he played a key role in successfully lobbying the state legislature for a higher education capital improvement bond package that provided Northwestern with $6.8 million in funds. He also was successful in securing a special appropriation to raze Oklahoma Hall.

            He served as chairman of the President’s Council for the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges and also served on an economic and workforce development committee for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Beran represented Northwestern as a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma and was honored last year as a distinguished graduate of Texas A&M University.

            As the governing board for Northwestern, the Board of Regents will soon appoint an acting president to begin July 1, then will begin the formal process to select Beran’s successor.

-NW-

 Editor’s note: President Beran will be available for interviews beginning April 26. All interview requests must be coordinated with the Office of University Relations. Please contact Steve Valencia at (580) 430-1571 to schedule interviews.

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