Tabor College Provost Lawrence Ressler has announced the will be leaving the college at semester?s end to accept a faculty position at Taylor University in Upland, Ind., where he will returning to the lecture hall as professor of social work.
?Tabor College is a great institution with great people and a great mission,? Ressler said. ?I have truly enjoyed my time here. But it is time for me to get back to my first loves, teaching and scholarship.?
In a statement delivered to faculty and staff on Monday, Tabor College President Jules Glanzer said he accepted Ressler?s resignation with ?deep regret.?
?Dr. Ressler has served Tabor for the past five years, providing leadership to our academic affairs, including one month serving as acting president,? he said. ?Lawrence has been a good friend, a trusted colleague, and a wise counselor as I found my way in the presidency.
?I have enjoyed working with Lawrence,? Glanzer added. ?His knowledge of academia, his love of learning and educating, and his commitment to excellence have inspired me and challenged me. His contribution to Tabor during these five short years has been enormous. His leadership will be missed.?
Ressler will continue to work at the college until the end of June, and begin at Taylor in the fall.
He began serving at Tabor as vice-president of academics and student life in 2005. His responsibilities changed to provost and academic dean in 2008. His responsibilities have included serving as second in command on campus, with oversight of academics, external programs, technology and continuous improvement.
He also helped to create the Carson Center for Mission, Service and Global Education, a campus-based program for preparing students for a life of learning, work and service founded in 2006.
Ressler said he was pleased with the growth and advancement of Tabor College over the past five years.
?Tabor is a great institution with great people and a great mission,? he said. ?I am pleased at the progress, especially the million dollars that have been generated to directly strengthen academics. With things going well, it is a great time to allow someone else to come and take the reins. My wife, Sharon, and I will miss the many friends at the college and in Hillsboro we have made.?
