More on candidates for chancellor’s position

THOMAS L. OLSON

Thomas L. Olson is chairman of the board at MECA & Technology Machine, Inc. in Green Bay. From 1987-2001, he was president and CEO of U.S. Paper Mills Corp., De Pere, Wis., and served as president of its successor, Sonoco-US Mills Inc. until his retirement in 2002. From 1976-1987, Olson practiced law with the Green Bay firm then known as Olson, Kulkoski, Galloway and Olson, S.C.

Professionally, Olson is a member of several boards, including Green Bay Packers, Inc.; M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Green Bay; and Belmark, Inc. Previously, he served on the boards of Bank One, Green Bay; Riverside Paper Corporation; Tape, Inc.; and as chairman of the Wisconsin Paper Council.

Olson is active in his community and serves on the boards of the Cloud Family Foundation, Inc.; Cornerstone Foundation of Northeastern Wisconsin, Inc.; Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and N.E.W. Curative Rehabilitation, Inc. In the past, he has served on boards of ASPIRO and St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center. He is also a member of the UW-Madison Law School Board of Visitors.

Olson has been involved with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for more than 20 years. Currently, he is a member of the Chancellor’s Council of Trustees and is the co-chair of the Capital Campaign. Previously, Olson served as president of the Founders Association and as chair of the Capital Campaign Planning Committee.

Olson received his bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from St. Olaf College and his juris doctorate from the UW-Madison Law School.

MICHAEL J. RENNER

Michael J. Renner is a professor of psychology at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, following his service as the university’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Renner provided oversight for all academic programs as well as the Library and Information Resources, Campus Technologies, Institutional Research and Planning, Enrollment Services, the Career Development Center, Distance Learning, Academic Support Services, the Mountaineer Leadership Program, Workforce Development and the Center for Lifelong Learning.

During his tenure, Renner collaborated with his colleagues to reinvent the institutional budgeting process, design and implement a campus-wide strategic planning process, improve support for faculty development and develop a comprehensive data gathering process for assessment and program improvement. Through broadening the first-year student experience program and other initiatives, Mansfield University showed a cumulative retention gain of over 6 percent.

Previously, Renner served as founding dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Nazareth College and, during his prior tenure at West Chester University, served as interim associate vice president, interim associate dean and institutional research fellow.

Renner earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boise State University, his master’s from the University of Oklahoma, and his doctorate in biological psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

THOMAS K. HARDEN

Thomas K. Harden is president of Clayton State University in Georgia, working with a large number and wide range of internal and external constituencies and providing overall leadership and direction for the institution. He is now in his ninth year as president.

During his tenure, enrollment has increased by 39 percent and the university has ranked No. 1 in the South for campus diversity by U.S. News & World Report six out of the past seven years. Harden implemented several liberal arts programs and advanced the School of Arts and Sciences to a College. He has provided oversight in establishing the College of Professional Studies, School of Nursing and the School of Graduate Studies. Harden has built relationships with external constituencies to generate funding to support priorities.

Previously, Harden was dean of the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University, chairperson of the Department of Technology, acting dean of University College, and associate dean of the College of Professional Studies at Northern Kentucky University. Harden has published and presented frequently, and during his career, has received approximately $30 million in grant funds.

Harden received his bachelor of science degree from Miami (Ohio) University, master of science from the University of Dayton and doctor of education from the University of Cincinnati.

BETTY RAMBUR

Betty Rambur is dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Vermont. She is responsible for all educational, research and outreach activities, as well as strategic planning, personnel and budget decisions for the college. During her eight-year tenure as dean, the college has experienced dramatic growth in enrollment and academic programs. Rambur established an external Board of Advisors and developed a culture of philanthropy that has enriched the learning and scholarly environment of the college. She has raised approximately $10 million in gifts, including support for endowed professorships, merit and need-based scholarships, facility upgrades and technology-enhanced learning.

In 2007-2008, Rambur was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow and completed her fellowship at UW-Madison.

Throughout her career, Rambur has been an active teacher and scholar. She has published widely in the areas of health services and workforce development. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Fletcher Allen Health Care System and has chaired the Quality Committee. Rambur was formerly the chair of the Division of Nursing at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

Rambur holds a bachelor of science in Nursing from the University of Mary, a master of science from Rush University and a doctor of philosophy from Rush University.