Bryon L. Grigsby, Ph.D., senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs at Shenandoah University, has been named the 16th president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pa. Dr. Grigsby, a 1990 graduate of Moravian College, will assume the presidency in July 2013. He will succeed President Christopher M. Thomforde, who will depart Moravian in July after serving seven years as president of the college and seminary.
Grigsby joined the leadership team at Shenandoah University on July 1, 2008, succeeding Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., then senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs, when she became president of the university.
“We’re pleased for Bryon and this new leadership opportunity, and that he begins his presidency at his undergraduate alma mater is thrilling,” said Dr. Fitzsimmons. “Bryon is passionate about student and faculty success in and out of the classroom. His visionary efforts to integrate mobile technology into the learning environment here at Shenandoah have dramatically altered the academic landscape.
“Shenandoah University provided me with great opportunities to build my leadership skills and develop a greater understanding of the higher education community,” said Grigsby. “My experience here has made it possible to begin this new leadership role at Moravian and to help it grow as it moves forward.”
As Shenandoah’s senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs, Grigsby has served as chief academic officer for the institution, responsible for the administration of academic programs, serving as an advocate for academic programs to the president and the board of trustees, and for implementing the campus-wide strategic plan. Under his leadership, Shenandoah became the first environmentally friendly laptop campus in 2009, distributing MacBook Pros, iPod Touches and iPads to all incoming students. He also shepherded the university’s Going Global: First-Year Seminar program, which provides a starting point for undergraduate students to transition to the university experience and become global citizens.
“I will greatly miss the diverse components at Shenandoah University, including its talented faculty, staff and senior administration as well as President Tracy Fitzsimmons’ leadership,” Grigsby said. “Tracy and the board of trustees have been extremely supportive of initiatives I brought to the table. I know they will continue to guide the university to its highest potential.”
Grigsby will continue in his role at Shenandoah throughout the remainder of the academic year. A national search to fill the position will begin in January 2013.
Shenandoah University is the private, nationally recognized applied liberal arts institution, located in Winchester, Va., with an enrollment of more than 4,000 students. Shenandoah’s close-knit community is rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah empowers its students to help the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go.