#10: Wittenberg has been given a “financial distress” designation by the Higher Learning Commission due to audits on FY21-23. The HLC did acknowledge the cuts the university has made as it works towards a balanced budget. The commission will visit campus in September, at which point the designation could be removed or altered. (link)
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#9: NACDA has announced its winners of the 2024-25 AD of the Year. DIII winners include Carnegie Mellon AD Josh Centor, Moravian AD Mary Beth Spirk, Trinity (TX) AD Bob King and Wesleyan AD Michael Whalen. (link)
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#8: The Office for Civil Rights has initiated Title VI investigations into 45 universities “amid allegations that these institutions have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with ‘The Ph.D. Project,’ an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants,” according to the Department of Education, whose secretary, Linda McMahon, says: “The agency has already launched Title VI investigations into institutions where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported and Title IX investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination; today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.” DIII institutions include Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, Emory, Ithaca, MIT, NYU and WashU. (link)
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#7: The DIII Membership Committee has approved the Colonial Women’s Golf Conference to become a new single-sport conference, starting September 1. (link)
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#6: Norwich Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey HCs Cam Ellsworth and Sophie Leclerc Doherty have stepped down. (link, link)
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#5: Wisconsin Lutheran names Director of the Masters of Sport and Recreation Management at WLC Jeremiah Hoffmann as its next AD, starting July 1. President Daniel Johnson: "Jeremiah's leadership, experience, and passion for collegiate athletics make him the ideal candidate to guide Warriors Athletics forward. We are thrilled to welcome him into this position.” (link)
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#4: The SCIAC will add Azusa Pacific (DII) as its 10th full member, with the Cougars to restart their Football program in conjunction with their transition to DIII. Commissioner Jenn Dubow: “Azusa Pacific will make a fantastic addition to the SCIAC and further position us as a leading conference in Division III. Their rising academic profile, competitive excellence and commitment to the true student-athlete experience all fit well within our regularly assessed membership criteria and we were thrilled to be able to welcome them to DIII.” APU President Adam Morris: “This decision reflects our dedication to providing a well-rounded educational experience, where students can excel in the classroom and on the field. We are confident that our membership in SCIAC and transition to Division III will allow us to maintain this balance while continuing our athletic excellence and building a successful and competitive football program.” APU is expected to become a full DIII member for the 2028-29 academic year. (link)
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#3: St. Olaf elevates Interim AD/SWA Kelly Mahlum to the permanent position. President Susan Rundell Singer: “Kelly's extensive experience, combined with her deep dedication to Ole Athletics, make her a great fit for this role. The future is bright for Ole Athletics, and I'm excited to see where her leadership takes us.” (link)
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#2: Southern Maine selects Husson AD John Sutyak as the Huskies’ new AD, starting May 27. USM President Jacqueline Edmondson: “John's career in athletic administration is marked by outstanding athletic and academic success by student-athletes, the growth and success of highly competitive programs, and a deep commitment to the Division III principles and values. We are excited to welcome John into this role. He will continue former Athletic Director Al Bean's legacy of excellence in athletics, and he will lead our Huskies well as we begin this new chapter of our programs.” (link)
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#1: The ASC will welcome McMurry and Schreiner back to the league in 2026-27, as the six members sign a decade-long agreement “that ensures the stability, strength, and growth of the conference.” Howard Payne President/ASC Council of Presidents Chair Cory Hines: “We are excited to continue fostering a dynamic and supportive environment for our student-athletes. This partnership will ensure the ASC remains a competitive and thriving conference, with a focus on academic achievement, character development, sportsmanship, and athletic excellence. We look forward to building upon the foundation of our united ASC institutions for years to come.” (link); SCAC Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry: “The SCAC is proud of our long and distinguished record of providing quality experiences for our student-athletes and member institutions. As always, we remain committed to being a leader in pursuit of excellence in Division III athletics.” Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s Cory Hogue was the first to report the news. (link, link)
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