Dr. Tim Laurent, Mount Mercy's Interim President
September 9, 2020
Mount Mercy University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Tim Laurent as interim president. Dr. Laurent has served as Mount Mercy’s provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2018. He will replace Dr. Robert Beatty, who has resigned his position.
“We thank Dr. Beatty for his time at Mount Mercy and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Charlie Rohde, Mount Mercy’s Board of Trustees chairman. “We also thank Dr. Laurent for stepping in to serve as the interim president. His experience and commitment to higher education will continue to move the university forward.”
A published author and researcher, Dr. Laurent led the implementation of four undergraduate majors, multiple graduate areas of emphasis, the Feld Chair for Innovation, and the Degree in Three and MMU Plus programs at Mount Mercy. As provost, he oversaw Mount Mercy’s faculty and academic operations, including undergraduate and graduate programs, the registrar’s office, library services, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), and institutional research and data. He also has extensive experience with professional and regional accreditation.
Prior to Mount Mercy, Dr. Laurent served as the vice president for academic affairs at the University of Providence and as associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Lynchburg. He began his professional career in higher education at Winona State University as an adjunct faculty member. He also served as head athletic trainer and faculty member at Saint Mary’s University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
“I am honored to continue serving Mount Mercy and our mission of providing a student-focused education in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy,” said Laurent. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy in meeting the needs of our time.”
The Board of Trustees will meet to finalize plans for Mount Mercy’s future leadership team.