Freed-Hardeman alumnus named president of Tennessee Tech University

Retiring president Bob Bell passes Tennessee Tech ceremonial mace to incoming president Philip Oldham. (Photo via Herald-Citizen)

A 1980 Freed-Hardeman University alum, Philip Oldham, is taking the helm as  president of Tenneessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn. Oldham fills the top post as Bob Bell retires after 12 years as president.
The Herald-Citizen reports:

Bell has worked with Oldham in the past and says he saw great potential and leadership in him from the start.
“I have known (Oldham) a number of years and he will be a great president,” Bell said. “I am confident of what he is going to be doing. I am hoping to leave him in good standing so the university is as well poised as it can be.”
Oldham has spent the last several weeks doing lots of listening and getting familiar with the campus and community, he said.
“There is just a lot of richness to (the university),” Oldham said. “I sort of knew it from a surface level, now I am beginning to drill down and see who the characters are and who the players in the different areas are and the personalities that are involved. Once you get to know the people, you begin to get a feel for, ‘okay that’s why it works the way it does.’ It is a whole lot easier to understand the dynamic. I have still got a lot more learning to do in that regard.”
Bell’s goal of leaving the university well poised is something Oldham says he is looking to build on.

Read the full story.

• Feedback
  Speaking of Churches of Christ and technology, has anyone produced a “Google Earth” map of the Campbell-Stone churches? If so, where is it located? If not, are any schools, parachurches, foundations, publishing houses predisposed to funding such a project? Thanks.

  Ed Dodds

  July, 14 2012

  Ed,
  Are you sure you commented on the right post? I don’t see anything on this one about Churches of Christ and technology.

  Bobby Ross Jr.

  July, 14 2012

  We are excited here in Cookeville to have Philip Oldham as the new TTU president. We hope he attends Collegeside (around the corner from his house) although there are many great congregations here.
  It was especially interesting that two of the three finalists for president came from the Churches of Christ faith community. We were blessed to have such a capable set of individuals.
  We extend “Best Wishes” to Dr. Oldham as well as Dr. Bell, who has made the presidency a tough act to follow. It is wonderful that Bob and Gloria Bell will be staying here in retirement

  Justin Myrick

  July, 17 2012

  The University’s name is “Tennessee Technological University.” It has not gone the way of Texas Tech in officially abbreviating the middle name although Tennessee Tech is known as such colloquially.

  David Ramsey

  July, 17 2012

  You’ve come a long way since the days at Brigance Hall! Would love to see you again some day. God’s peace on your new appointment.

  Steve Puckett

  July, 18 2012

  Congratulations are in order, although it looks like I am a few months overdue!
  Richard

  Richard Rutter

  October, 13 2012