Dentistry dean to leave for Ohio State

BY JOHN HAGEMAN
jhageman@mndaily.com
Patrick Lloyd called his time as dean of the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry an “opportunity of a lifetime.”
But after more than seven years in the post, he’s moving on: same job, new state. Lloyd was named the dean of Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry, the University of Minnesota announced Wednesday. Lloyd will remain at the University until Aug. 1.
In addition to his duties as dean, Lloyd will become director of dentistry for Ohio State’s medical center. “This is a new challenge for me,” Lloyd said.
“It’s something that I look forward to in a new setting.”
Lloyd said among his proudest accomplishments at the University was increasing diversity through the 40 new hires made in the past seven years. Of those new faculty members, 42 percent were women. Six years ago, he recruited Judith Buchanan, an associate dean in the school of dentistry, from the University of Pennsylvania. She said the news of Lloyd’s departure was “a surprise for all of us.”
“I’m not sure there’s another individual that could have come into this school at the time he did and do as much as he did,” Buchanan said. “He’s the hardest working person I’ve ever met.”
In a press release, University Provost Tom Sullivan wished Lloyd good luck, while indicating he plans to help find a new dean. The school’s Council of Chairs will meet May 25 to start preliminary discussion on finding Lloyd’s successor.
“As we move forward with these next steps, I will be in consultation with President [Bob] Bruininks and President-designate [Eric] Kaler so as to insure an effective and successful appointment of an interim dean and ultimately a search committee,” Sullivan said in the release.
Lloyd sent an email to the school’s faculty, staff and students thanking them for their “outstanding efforts” in developing the school. “I don’t regret any minute that I’ve been here,” Lloyd said.
“I’ve developed more close friendships with faculty, staff and that I have in my entire life.”