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Feb. 13, 2002

ULM interim President Tom Rakes accepts position at the University of Tennessee at Martin

Dr. Tom Rakes, Interim President at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, has accepted a cabinet position with the University of Tennessee at Martin. Rakes will serve as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UTM. This position is the second ranking administrative officer and includes responsibilities similar to those he held at ULM for the past year and a half as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Rakes says, "I have been exploring career options for several months beginning this past fall and this position at UT Martin represents an excellent match for my interests and abilities. This position provides an opportunity for me to continue involvement as a senior level administrative officer at an institution recognized for a long tradition of excellence involving outstanding undergraduate programs across a number of disciplines including social and behavioral sciences, humanities, agriculture, nursing teacher education, business and engineering. Offering specialization in approximately 80 fields of study, the University of Tennessee at Martin is listed as a second tier southern institution by US News and is currently experiencing an enrollment increase. I am excited about joining the faculty and staff at one of the South's best established institutions."

The UT Martin campus is home to the state's only on-line undergraduate degree, the B.S. in University Studies. The campus also has the top rated masters degree programs in Tennessee as indicated by external review data. With an enrollment of just under 6,000 students this fall, the campus is one of four institutions within the University of Tennessee System and is located two hours northeast of Memphis and three hours northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Nick Dunagan, Chancellor of the UT Martin campus, says, "Our entire campus is excited about Tom Rakes joining the UT Martin team. Tom's rich background in higher education is impressive. Our search committee talked to numerous ULM faculty and staff members, and those responses were glowing. We are indeed fortunate to have Tom Rakes coming back to Tennessee."

Georgiann Potts, ULM's Director of Public Affairs, says, "We accept Interim President Rakes' decision with mixed feelings. We, of course, are delighted for him and for his family as they make this career move, however, we regret the loss of this academic leader. The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a stronger institution because of his leadership and we gratefully acknowledge his many actions on the University's behalf. We wish him well."

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