UMass Dartmouth names interim chancellor

PEYTON
PEYTON "RANDY' HELM HAS BEEN appointed interim chancellor at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. / COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON – Former Muhlenberg College President Peyton Randolph (Randy) Helm has been named interim chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
Citing Helm’s leadership abilities and proven record of success, Marty Meehan, president of the UMass university system, said in announcing the appointment on Monday that he is pleased to have “someone with Randy’s wisdom, judgment and experience guiding UMass Dartmouth during this transitional period. I firmly believe that interim Chancellor Helm possesses the skills and experience we need to position UMass Dartmouth for a new era of growth and success.”
Helm retired last year after leading Muhlenberg College for 12 years and was named president emeritus by the college’s trustees at commencement last May. He succeeds Divina Grossman, who stepped down as chancellor of UMass Dartmouth last month. Helm will begin his service in March after completing obligations that require foreign travel during February.
Victor Woolridge, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, praised Helm’s “distinguished record of academic leadership and commitment to students and their futures.”
At Muhlenberg, Helm presided over an era of growth and transformation, during which applications and enrollment increased, as the college continued to gain acclaim. Muhlenberg’s endowment more than tripled — rising from $70 million to $247 million – with that growth fueled by a $110 million capital campaign Helm oversaw.
Helm was also credited with improving campus facilities and student life, increasing diversity and developing a new curriculum.
Helm said he looks forward to serving at UMass Dartmouth.
“This is an institution committed to transforming lives through the power of higher education, a purpose to which I have dedicated my career,” he said. “With half of the university’s undergraduates being first-generation college-attendees, almost 40 percent qualifying for Pell grants, and many holding down jobs in addition to taking classes, UMass Dartmouth students are clearly motivated, determined, pragmatic and focused on their future.”
Meehan and Helm both said that UMass Dartmouth’s continued development as a research university was important and held great economic significance for the south coast and the state.

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