Walsh University President Dr. Tim Collins has announced that current Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Michael Dunphy, Ph.D., has been appointed Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective June 29, 2020. Dr. Dunphy will replace former Vice President for Academic Affairs Douglas Palmer, Ph.D., who has accepted the position of President at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.
“After extensive consideration following the COVID-19 disruption, we have concluded that it would be in the University’s best interests to appoint an internal candidate and restart the search process at a later date,” said Dr. Tim Collins. “This will give us time to focus on Walsh’s transformational shift to an 8-week academic calendar and continue to make preparations to welcome students safely back to campus this fall.”
An alumnus of Walsh, Dr. Dunphy has served the Walsh community since 1981, first as a part time faculty member, then in 1985 as full-time faculty in Biochemistry, as Division Chair of Mathematics and Sciences from 1990 to 2016 and currently as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Retaining the rank of Full Professor in Biochemistry, Dr. Dunphy continues to teach chemistry courses and do research while attending to his administrative responsibilities.
Over the years, Dr. Dunphy has mentored hundreds of students in the sciences, guided Honors Thesis seniors, collaborated with colleagues on many projects, and most recently, helped to bring $1.2 million dollars’ worth of high-end analytical equipment from Shimadzu to Walsh University to elevate the strength and profile of the sciences in the national market. This June, Dr. Dunphy has been instrumental in the launch of Walsh’s new Skilled Tech Workforce initiative, designed to teach essential skills people need to thrive in a technology-based economy.
Dr. Dunphy is a nationally known facilitator and speaker in leadership development, curriculum development and integration of premier skills into education of young professionals. He is also a veteran of the classical martial arts/sciences and devotes considerable energy to martial training and education. A licensed martial professional (Menkyo Renshi Sogobujutsu), Dr. Dunphy offers classical martial training on campus regularly including classical Japanese swordsmanship (kenjutsu), classical sogobujutsu and other areas of specialty.
Dr. Dunphy earned his B.S., Walsh University; M.S., Youngstown State University; Ph.D., University of Akron.
