Beacon Leaving UMaine for Western Michigan

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO–John Beacon, UMaine’s assistant provost and dean of enrollment management, is leaving UMaine to become vice provost for enrollment management at Western Michigan University. Beacon has been at UMaine since 1997. During that time, UMaine’s overall enrollment has increased from 9,213 to the current 11,358. The number of new first-time students enrolling at UMaine has increased by 60 percent during his tenure. Departments within Enrollment Management include: admissions, financial aid, student records, academic and career exploration , new student programs and the career center.

“UMaine has benefited greatly from John’s leadership in the recruitment, enrollment and retention of students,” says UMaine Interim President Robert Kennedy. “While the number of students has increased dramatically over the past seven years, John has managed a process that has allowed UMaine to maintain its academic standards and continue to recruit and enroll outstanding students.”

Beacon, who will begin work in Michigan on Feb. 1, has 37 years of experience in higher education. In addition to UMaine he has held leadership positions at the University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University and Eastern Illinois University and Indiana State University.

“I have been privileged to have worked for UMaine these past eight years. The University has great leadership in President Kennedy and I will very much miss working with him and many other associates. Enrollment Management is in good hands, as the department directors and coordinators are among the best with whom I have ever worked. My wife and I take many cherished memories of Maine with us, along with friendships that will last us a lifetime,” Beacon says. A Western Michigan news release is at http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2004/12/026.html.