Ohio University-Chillicothe Dean Retires; Steve Phillips Named Interim Dean

Contact: Dick Whitney, OUC Director of Student Services, (740) 774-7242

Editors: A photo of Delbert Meyer can be found at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/MEYER_DELBERT.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (January 30, 2001) -- Ohio University-Chillicothe Dean Delbert Meyer retired Jan. 31, after 15 years in that role. OUC Associate Dean Steve Phillips will serve as interim dean. The school is conducting a national search for a replacement and expects to name a new dean this summer.

Under Meyer's leadership, campus enrollment has increased by more than 600 students. The school also has added bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as associate's degree programs in nursing, hazardous materials technology, environmental engineering technology and deaf studies and interpreting.

"The Chillicothe campus has experienced an increase in undergraduate enrollment every single year under Del Meyer's leadership," said Ohio University Vice President for Regional Higher Education Charles Bird. "That fact speaks well for Meyer, and he has done a great job of expanding the campus' associate's degree programs, which continue to meet the community's needs."

Meyer has overseen the development of three new educational centers on campus, the Environmental Training and Research Center, the Southern Ohio Police Training Institute and the Deaf Studies Resource Center. In 1998 with the help of a grant from the Ohio Department of Human Services, OUC renovated Bennett Hall so that the building could be used as a child care center.

Other major developments include the re-establishment of the Theater Department and the creation of an educational scholarship to promote joint student-faculty research activities.

"My years at Ohio University were very rewarding and enjoyable," Meyer said. "The university was kind to me and allowed me to be active in the community as well as on campus."

Meyer earned his bachelor's degree in zoology and chemistry and a minor in French from North Central College before receiving master's and doctoral degrees in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Before coming to OUC, he taught biology and served as vice president for academic affairs for five years at Middle Tennessee State University. Prior to that, he was a professor at West Virginia University and served as vice chancellor for the West Virginia Board of Regents.

Phillips joined OUC in 1966 as director of student services. He became the school's assistant dean in 1973 and was promoted to associate dean in 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree in social studies and business from Bowling Green State University, a master's in educational psychology from Tennessee Technological University and a doctorate in business education from the University of Cincinnati.

"We are fortunate to have someone with Steve's experience available," Bird said. "He knows the Chillicothe campus and region as well as anyone, and I am pleased that I could turn to him in this situation."