Thus far, Earl D. Brooks’s II, Ph.D., president of Tri-State University, tenure has been amassed with announcements of new programs, new campuses, and new expansions. The announcement by the TSU Board of Trustees that they have signed a new ten year contract with Brooks as President exemplifies the University’s commitment to the future under Brooks’s leadership. This new contract will assure Brooks’s presence at TSU until May 31, 2016. 

According to Dr. John Pittman, Board Chair of TSU’s Board of Trustees, Brooks’s leadership has been transformational, making him a highly effective leader and “an agent of change” for continual improvement in all aspects of the University. Among Brooks’s achievements is the progress, Pittman says, he has been made in the academic sphere. Brooks has increased the academic quality of incoming students. He has also established a graduate degree program. In addition, he has expanded the Middle College program and the branch campuses, adding two in the past two months (Howe and Kendallville, Ind). The University also recently entered into a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College (Fort Wayne) to provide bachelor’s degree completion for their graduates in a two plus one program called Accelerate “U.” The TSU Technology Center has provided training for technical competence at the associate degree and certificate level that TSU believes will improve the skill levels available to the regional industrial base. The move to NCAA Division III is another affirmation of TSU’s commitment to academic excellence and to athletics.

 “Perhaps, nowhere has the transformation been more apparent than in the physical assets on our campus,” added Pittman. “Completion of Forman Hall and the Trine Welcome Center, Centennial Station, rehabilitation of the golf course, the Trine Guest Cottage, completion of the new student villas, renovation of Hershey Hall for the Ketner Sports Center, the new boulevard entrance, the renovation and expansion of the TSU bookstore, and the ongoing restoration of Sniff Hall (now Sponsel Administration Center) all illustrate Brooks’s ability to complete projects at a first-class level.  The beginning construction on the new University Center and Center for Online Technology, and later this year, construction of new modern dormitories gives everyone in the TSU family a renewed feeling of pride and optimism.”  

             

              In addition, Pittman also lauded Brooks for the significant improvement in the financial health of the University, adding “We have significantly reduced our institutional debt and greatly enhanced the financial health and vitality of TSU.”

According to Dr. Jerry Allen, the Board Vice Chair and Chairman of the Board’s Development and Marketing committee noted that Brooks, along the with Office of University Advancement  staff, has led The Vision for the Future capital campaign that was initiated in 2002 and now stands at more than $56 million. TSU was recently recognized at the national level by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for is fund raising and capital campaign success.

“This is at a time when the economic conditions have not been entirely favorable,” said Allen. “The University recently raised the Campaign goal from $45 million to $70 million dollars. We have made remarkable progress since Dr. Brooks’s installation and this new contract expresses both the Board’s appreciation and commitment to Dr. Brooks and his commitment to Tri-State University.”

A native of Claiborne County, Tennessee, Brooks came to TSU six years ago after having served as the chief operating officer at two well-established schools of higher learning, Lincoln Memorial University and Wesley College. Brooks began his tenure as the 16th president of Tri-State University on June 1, 2000. A 1977 graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he also earned his master’s and doctorate degrees, Brooks is the second youngest person to serve as president of TSU and the youngest college president in the state of Indiana.

“I am both honored and flattered that the board of trustees have such confidence in my leadership and the direction of the University,” responded Brooks. “This has truly been a joy and team effort. I look forward to the continual progress, quality enhancement, and growth of our institution. Everyone deserves credit for all of our recent successes—the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and the local community. The future of our institution is very bright thanks to the support of all of these folks, but much work to be done, before our work is complete.”

For the future, Brooks says he plans to continue focusing on the recent efforts to strengthen the institution’s quality, reputation, and financial health, noting that the Vision for the Future capital campaign has assisted in continually strengthening these goals.

“I want us to continue to provide a first-class, quality education, second to none in the region,” added Brooks. “Along with the services, facilities, and an outstanding faculty and staff to support efforts, I want to recruit, retain, and educate the brightest students in our region.”