Tony Atwater began his tenure as Norfolk State University’s fifth president on July 1. Atwater, former president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Senior Fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, was chosen as president on April 22 by the NSU Board of Visitors.
“Atwater’s impressive record as a president, senior administrator and teacher/scholar is a remarkable match of the presidential profile developed in conjunction with the larger NSU community,” said NSU Rector Edward L. Hamm, Jr. “Atwater has been charged by the NSU Board of Visitors to lead the operations, growth and visionary planning for the university, while maintaining the wonderful spirit that has always resounded at NSU.”
Upon accepting the NSU Board of Visitors’ appointment, Atwater expressed his gratitude to Rector Hamm and board members for their confidence in his future leadership and stewardship of Norfolk State University. “I pledge my best efforts to work collaboratively with all sectors of the university to advance NSU to the next level of academic excellence and national distinction,” said Atwater. “I look forward to serving the students, the faculty, staff and administrators of this excellent university.”
Atwater served as president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 2005-2010. IUP is a larger doctoral state university and is reportedly the largest university in the Pennsylvania state university system. Atwater, who guided IUP to a host of accomplishments – academically and financially – brings approximately 20 years experience as a senior administrator.
He also increased enrollment while significantly increasing fund raising and capital construction. Additionally, he diversified the student body while increasing the percentage of faculty with terminal degrees and extending its record of being nationally recognized in both US News and World Report and the Princeton Review.
In his prior assignments, he significantly increased graduation and retention rates, as well as SAT scores. Atwater’s prior comprehensive experience in fund raising, enrollment growth, academic affairs, major capital projects and student services is an enormously positive portent for the present and future of Norfolk State.
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