Chancellor Doug Kristensen
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University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen today announced the selection of Dr. Finnie A. Murray as the new senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Life.
In making the announcement, Chancellor Kristensen said: “It will be a pleasure to welcome Finnie Murray and his wife Deb to our leadership team and to the UNK community. We will announce their arrival date–and appropriate welcoming festivities–when transition plans have been finalized.” Dr. Murray will also hold an appointment as professor of biology. Upon approval by the Board of Regents, the appointment is effective June 1.
Dr. Murray is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University–Commerce, a position he has held for nearly three years. He also held a year-long appointment as interim provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs.
Before joining the Texas A&M–Commerce campus, he was dean of the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences at Henderson State University from 1998-2000. He has also chaired the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University, 1989-1998, and directed the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at that institution from 1985-1989.
His research work includes nearly 40 peer-reviewed articles, an equally long list of papers presented at scholarly meetings, and more than $3 million in projects funded by federal, state and private sources. He has taught biological sciences and zoology at the University of Tennessee, Ohio State University and Ohio University.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in animal science, physiology and biochemistry, from the University of Florida. In addition, he did postdoctoral study at the University of Colorado and the University of Tennessee.
His community involvement includes serving on the Rotary Club board, Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, the Chamber of Commerce and in numerous church leadership positions.
