Dottie King, Ph.D. 16th president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
The Board of Trustees at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College announced the appointment of Dottie L. King, Ph.D., as the College’s 16th president. After a national presidential search, King was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees during its meeting held on campus February 25, 2011. King’s term as president will begin immediately.
King brings 26 years of higher education experience as an interim president, vice president of academic affairs, assistant dean and faculty member, to her new role as president. An acclaimed mathematician and administrator, King is passionate about the importance of women’s colleges and is an outstanding leader, according to Kathleen Wentland Lubeznik ’80, chair of the board of trustees.
“Dr. King emerged from a field of national candidates who will carry forward with vision the mission of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College,” Lubeznik said. “She possesses a rare combination of a broad range of academic achievement, a clear understanding of the colleges’ central role in society, excellent managerial talent and an engaging personal style that will serve our community well.”
In 2002, King began her service at The Woods as assistant professor of mathematics. Through a series of promotions, King served as associate professor of mathematics, chair of the sciences and mathematics department, assistant dean for undergraduate and international programs, vice president for academic affairs and interim president.
“It is a distinct honor to have been selected as the 16th president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College working with such outstanding faculty, staff and students,” King said. “I am inspired by the College’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, a woman whose strength, determination and philosophy lives in the hearts and souls of this community. I look forward to continuing to build what began nearly two centuries ago: a legacy of intellectual commitment, faith, social commitment and passionate determination for developing critical thinkers.”
King held many leadership positions at the College including:
- promoting excellence in teaching and scholarship,
- providing leadership for academic departments and interdisciplinary programs in curricular, personnel, and budgetary matters, and
- advancing the mission of the College.
She was a recipient of the College’s highest teaching honors, the Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy Award for Faculty Excellence for teaching and another for service.
The General Council of the Sisters of Providence has unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Board of Trustees to appoint Dr. Dottie King, Ph.D., as the next president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
“Dr. King understands, supports and exemplifies the values undergirding the mission of the College; in addition, she understands and identifies with the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Providence,” Sister Denise Wilkinson, General Superior of the Sisters of Providence said. “We know her to be professionally competent. Too, we recognize that she has always allowed her life to be shaped by her deep belief in God. Since her arrival to The Woods nine years ago, Dr. King has also allowed herself to be deeply influenced by the life and legacy of Saint Mother Theodore, foundress of the College. The Sisters of Providence offer Dr. King our loving and prayerful support. We believe she is the right president for this time in the College’s long history,” she added.
From 1985 to 2002, King served as an instructor of mathematics at Indiana State University.
King holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Indiana State University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction/educational leadership, also from Indiana State University. She has delivered numerous professional presentations and published research on factors that encourage women to persist in their study of mathematics.
Currently, King serves as a board member of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and The United Way, member of the Terre Haute Rotary Club, board of trustees of Clay Community Schools and her church.
King is an avid reader and volunteers in many activities that serve the needs of children. She has been married to her husband, Wayne, for 31 years and they have six children and one grandchild.
King succeeds David Behrs, Ph.D., who served as president from 2007 to 2010 and resigned in May 2010.
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