Macon — Dr. Melinda K. Dalgarn has been named vice president for student affairs at Mercer University. Dalgarn is currently associate dean of student affairs at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., where she has served for more than 20 years. She will join the university administration on Nov. 1.
“Dr. Dalgarn brings to Mercer the right combination of experience, creativity and energy to lead the university’s student programs in an exciting and innovative direction,” said Mercer President R. Kirby Godsey. “The students will find her to be a sensitive confidant, vigorous advocate and capable leader.”
While at Vanderbilt, Dalgarn managed a $4 million budget and supervised the offices of student activities, campus recreation, international student and scholar services, English for internationals and the parents and family office. She also administered such campus-wide events as homecoming, freshman family weekend, parents weekend and various awards ceremonies. She was also an active participant in the design and development of a $11.5 million facility renovation.
“This is an exciting time at Mercer,” Dalgarn said. “The music building has just opened, the groundbreaking for the new University Center is scheduled for mid-October, and plans are underway to renovate the Student Center. The campus is filled with energy and enthusiasm that is almost palpable.”
Dalgarn earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education and psychology from Lewis Clark College in Portland, Ore., and a master of science degree in education administration and a doctor of education degree in school administration from Vanderbilt. Prior to entering higher education, Dalgarn taught elementary school in Washington.
Founded in 1833 in Penfield, Mercer has more than 7,400 students and 1,400 faculty members on campuses in Macon and Atlanta. It is one of the largest Baptist-affiliated institutions in the world and is the only independent university of its size in the country to offer programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, education, medicine, pharmacy, law, theology and nursing.
Led by President R. Kirby Godsey, Mercer has been ranked among the leading regional colleges and universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report for 12 consecutive years.
