Mabry Announces Impending Retirement, Lays Out Plans for UTT’s Future

TYLER — 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. In a news release, Mabry said there are “amazing new ventures planned” for UTT’s future,” but that it’s time for him to “someone with new ideas and new energy.” After a sabbatical, he said he plans to return to the university’s faculty in 2018.

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. Mabry says he has been “truly fortunate to have the very best faculty and staff possible.”

During his presentation of UTT’s new strategic plan Friday, Mabry revealed plans for the next decade at the university of Texas at Tyler. Some of the key proposed ideas in the strategic plan include:

· Expanding current honors programs into an honors college;

· Creating a leadership institute;

· Developing Expertise in Consumer-Based CyberSecurity;

· Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nanotechnology Engineering Sciences Center developing treatments for brain-related and central nervous system issues; including Alzheimer’s and other dementia, stroke and concussions.

· A collaboration with Texas Spine and Joint Hospital and area foundations to create a Southwest Sports Medicine Research and Training Institute;

· UT Tyler Ingenuity Center and College of Education enhanced collaboration to recruit students across Texas into fields related to science, technology, engineering and math; and

· Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation that includes faculty from three colleges across UT Tyler.