Texas Tech System regents name Haynie as sole finalist for president of Midwestern State
LUBBOCK— The Texas Tech University Board of Regents named Stacia "Stacy" Haynie as the sole finalist to serve as the 13th President of Midwestern State University during a special-called meeting on Tuesday.
Haynie, an alumna of MSU and a native of Henrietta, will return to the institution following a 33-year tenure at Louisiana State University.
According to the system, Haynie has served in numerous positions during her academic tenure, including as Executive Vice President and Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Vice Provost for Academics and Planning; Associate and Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Department Chair.
Haynie was recognized by MSU as an Outstanding Education Student in 1981, Distinguished Alumna in the Department of Political Science in 1999 and the same distinction from MSU's Fain College of Fine Arts in 2011.
Earning her bachelor's in theater and master's in political science from MSU, Haynie went on to earn her doctoral degree in political science from the University of North Texas.
After 29 minutes of deliberating in the executive session, the board unanimously approved the new appointment and directed the Chancellor to negotiate the new president's contract and pay.
Haynie's tenure as MSU's president will officially begin 21 days from the notice, according to Texas State Law.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the sole finalist for the presidency of Midwestern State University,” Haynie said in a statement from the system. “MSU Texas and the Wichita Falls community have always held a special place in my heart, and I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to lead my alma mater into the next chapter in its history. My intellectual foundation was built at MSU Texas – which is a credit to the faculty and staff of this extraordinary university. I am excited to serve the MSU Texas community and to work tirelessly with the incredible faculty, staff and students to provide that same foundation for others.”
Background about the search and Midwestern State University
MSU joined the Tech System in September 2021 becoming the fifth component institution within the system. At the time, President Susan Shipley resigned as the 11th president of MSU president for retirement.
A search committee was convened and the regents appointed JuliAnn Mazachek as the 12th president of MSU in March 2022. Mazachek would later resign 10 months later as she accepted the president position at Washburn University.
Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell appointed Keith Lamb as the interim president of MSU in January 2023, and he has served since then.
On June 16, Vice Chairwoman Ginger Kerrick-Davis of the Board of Regents and chairwoman of the MSU Presidential Search Committee announced the special called meeting asking the MSU community to watch the meeting as it announced the new president.
Mateo Rosiles is a journalist covering Breaking News and Trends in Lubbock and around the area as well as covering the Texas Tech System and the Board of Regents. Send him news tips at mrosiles@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech regents name Haynie sole finalist for MSU president
