Timothy Moerland, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences until this fall, has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

IUP made the announcement Monday in a press release on its website. Moerland confirmed his new position in an email Tuesday.

“It’s an honor … and I’m excited to have this opportunity,” Moerland said in an email. “I was very impressed by the community, campus, and, most importantly, the people I met during the interview process. Like most such things, however, there is a bittersweet side.”

Moerland will begin his new position at IUP Jan. 14, according to the release.

IUP is the largest member of Pennsylvania’s state university system, but also has the atmosphere of a small college, Moerland said, which he feels is an ideal blend.

“Because of his research and teaching accomplishments as a faculty member, his successful management of large and complex academic units, and the breadth and depth of his successes in growing and sustaining strong academic and research programs at two doctoral research universities, [Moerland] is well positioned for IUP’s current needs and aspirations for our future,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said in the release.

Moerland has been serving as assistant provost for special projects at Kent State since August when he left his post as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after four years.

“I’ll take away quite a few things [from Kent State], but the thing that tops the list is the pleasure that comes with working with dedicated, passionate people who care about students and academic excellence,” Moerland said.

Prior to his stint at Kent State, Moerland served as chair of Florida State University’s Department of Biological Sciences and associate dean of research for the College of Arts and Sciences.

He was one of the final candidates for provost at Kent State along with Todd Diacon, who was ultimately selected earlier this year.

Moerland will replace Gerald Intemann at IUP, who has served as its provost and vice president for academic affairs since April 2008.

“It’s a bit too early to talk about details, but I can say that the challenges and opportunities at IUP are in many ways similar to those at [Kent State],” Moerland said. “We will be working hard, for example, on the things that contribute to student success and satisfying careers.”

Contact Audrey Fletcher at [email protected].