Fort Hays State University is pleased to welcome its new dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Dr. J. David Macey. Dr. Macey will join us on Monday, June 26.
The college Dr. Macey will lead recently began working through a comprehensive reorganization focused on enhancing operational efficiencies, positioning the college to grow, leveraging new academic program opportunities, and creating a collaborative and engaging organizational culture that articulates the value of a liberal arts education.
This appointment is a significant milestone for the university, and we are thrilled to have found someone with such an impressive background and wealth of experience. The new dean brings a fresh perspective to the role, and we are confident that he will lead the college to new heights.
Thus, I am honored to introduce Dr. Macey to our wonderful community via this Heart of a Tiger column.
Like me, David grew up in Massachusetts. His undergraduate degree is from Yale University in Connecticut and his first job after college was as a cook at a storefront soup kitchen in Brooklyn, New York. He later worked as a bank teller and was a Catholic seminarian before earning graduate degrees in English literature at Brown University and Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Macey has served as a faculty member at a small private liberal arts college in Washington state (University of Puget Sound) and a medium-sized public regional comprehensive university in Oklahoma (University of Central Oklahoma). He has also served as an assistant vice president for diversity, inclusion, and globalization and the interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Signaling a good fit with Tiger Nation, Dr. Macey’s career is marked by hard work, thoughtfulness, achievement, and demonstrated commitment to an ethic of care. He received several awards from the University of Central Oklahoma, including the Modeling the Way Award, the Neely Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Division of Student Affairs Faculty Adviser of the Year Award. He also received the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice’s Oklahoma City Humanitarian Award and the Cimarron Alliance’s Torch Award.
On a more personal note, David has lived in Oklahoma City for the past 20 years, where his husband, Thomas Horne, has been an English professor (Oklahoma City Community College). Four cats round out their household: Mildred Pierces (a gray tabby), Burt Lancatster (an orange tuxedo tabby), Elvira Whiskress of the Dark (a Bombay), and Prid E. Kitty (an orange tabby).
“I’ve followed the great work of Fort Hays State University’s students, faculty, and staff for many years and am excited by the spirit and creativity of the Tiger Nation! The university has been on the cutting edge of innovation in transformative teaching and learning, online and international education, and affordability and access – all of which will be critical to the future of public higher education. I was impressed by the warmth and the energy of FHSU’s students, faculty, and staff when I visited campus, and I can’t wait to join the university community,” David said.
David is excited to be moving to Hays and looks forward to becoming involved in the community, stating: “Thomas and I are enjoying learning more about Hays and its cultural activities, its restaurants (we’ve found some great ones already!), and its opportunities for service and civic engagement. We look forward to many happy years in Hays!”
FHSU and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are home to some of the most talented and dedicated faculty members in the country, and we believe that Dean Macey will provide the leadership and vision necessary to build on our success.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is welcoming new leaders to Tiger Nation. So, it is truly a joy for me to celebrate FHSU’s newest senior leader. I am thrilled to welcome David and Thomas to Fort Hays State University as well as to our wonderful Ellis County community. We look forward to working with Dr. Macey as he embarks on this exciting new chapter at Fort Hays State University.
Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.