10/19/12
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David L. Lesesne |
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Grant L. Azdell |
Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren has announced a change of title for two of R-MC’s most experienced and dedicated members of the President’s Cabinet. David L. Lesesne, Dean of
Admissions and
Financial Aid, will now carry the title of Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, and Grant L. Azdell,
Dean of Students, will also have a new title: Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
These new titles, effective October 18, mirror the practice at most colleges similar to Randolph-Macon and parallel the titles of the three other college officers currently serving on the R-MC Cabinet: William Franz, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Paul Davies, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer, and Diane Lowder, Vice President for
College Advancement.
“I am pleased to share this exciting news with the Randolph-Macon community,” said Lindgren. “David and Grant have worked tirelessly to make this college more dynamic than ever. Their dedication is reflected in ever-increasing enrollment and retention and in the ultimate success of our students. I congratulate David and Grant on this well-deserved recognition.”
Reflected in these new titles are enhanced responsibilities for Lesesne and Azdell.
Lesesne will assume full oversight responsibility for retention initiatives at R-MC. For the past two years Lesesne has shared this coordinating responsibility with Franz and Azdell. As Lindgren said in a message to the college community, “Recent advances in this area are the result of this successful triumvirate, the work of a larger steering group, and most importantly, of the efforts of virtually every staff and faculty member at the college.” Although Franz and Azdell will remain highly involved with retention strategies and their implementation going forward, the ultimate responsibility for this area will rest with Lesesne.
Since arriving at the college in 2009, Lesesne has helped recruit the
largest and most diverse student body in R-MC’s history. In addition to his work with retention, Lesesne helped implement the
Equestrian Team, a burgeoning program that offers riders of all levels the opportunity to train and compete. Lesesne earned his B.A. from Wofford College, his M.A. from University of South Carolina and his Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University. Before joining the staff at R-MC, Lesesne served as the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Sewanee: the University of the South, a role he held since 2001.
Over the past several years, Azdell has developed a detailed strategy to implement a key initiative in the college’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on enhancing the outcomes of R-MC students. His work in this regard resulted in the creation of the
Randolph-Macon EDGE program, which was enhanced last spring with Azdell’s appointment of Linda Carne as the executive director of the
Center for Personal and Career Development and leader of the
EDGE program. Through the
EDGE program, the advantages students have enjoyed as a result of good academic advising are being complemented by parallel work in the areas of career discernment and preparation. Working closely with Carne and her staff, Azdell will intensify his efforts to broaden this initiative across the entirety of the college and to integrate this critically important work with other efforts on campus.
Azdell has also been instrumental in the success of the college’s Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan, which is designed to provide a safe and healthy environment for R-MC students and employees. In addition, Azdell initiated the Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences (
SERVE) program, a community-service initiative for students, at Randolph-Macon College. He also created the Leadership Fellows program and the Service Fellows program at R-MC. Azdell earned his B.A. from Lynchburg College, his M.Div. from Vanderbilt University and his Ph.D. from University of Virginia. Before joining the R-MC staff in 2008, Azdell worked at Lynchburg College, where he spent 10 years in various roles, including Chaplain and Director of Church Relations, Dean of Religious Life, and Associate Vice President for Student Life.