New Drury president selected

The Drury University Board of Trustees today voted to hire Tim Cloyd as its new president.

The 54-year-old, who starts July 1, worked 2001-14 as president of Conway, Ark.-based Hendrix College. During his tenure, the school experienced more than 50 percent enrollment growth, expanded its endowment by 50 percent, reached profitability and built 13 campus buildings. In 2014, Forbes magazine named the school one of its “100 Most Financially Fit Colleges.”

Cloyd was selected after a national search gathered nearly 200 nominations and applications, including from 30 present and former college presidents. A news release cited Cloyd’s past experience, as well as fundraising skills.

“We are more than confident that Cloyd is the right person to lead Drury into a future that will attract more of the students we have always sought and make our alumni proud of what we have become,” said board chairman Lyle Reed, who also chaired the search committee, in the release “Tim is committed to working with the faculty and board in refining our liberal arts education for the next 50 years.”

Cloyd, who returned to Hendrix College last year to teach politics and international relations after a sabbatical, is stepping down at the end of this academic year.

“I believe deeply in liberal arts and science education combined with pragmatic programs and professional education,” Cloyd said in the release. “And I believe that there are creative, innovative and entrepreneurial ways to position institutions in a manner that remains true to their organic roots and values.”

Cloyd succeeds David Manuel, who is resigning at the end of his contract on May 31 to prepare for retirement. Manuel became Drury’s 17th president in July 2013, following the tenure of Todd Parnell.