A&M System regents name James L. Hurley Tarleton's 16th president
STEPHENVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M University Board of Regents has officially named Dr. James L. Hurley as Tarleton State University's 16th president, following the 21-day notice required by law. Regents named Hurley the sole finalist Aug. 8.
Hurley comes to Tarleton from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn., where he has served as president since 2017. He begins his duties at Tarleton today.
"Dr. Hurley is the right choice at the right time for Tarleton," said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. "His energy and vision will take the university to the next level."
Sharp will welcome Hurley and his family to the Tarleton and Stephenville communities at a reception set from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the Thompson Student Center Ballrooms.
"I am honored and humbled to serve such an incredible institution with an outstanding legacy of academic excellence and a heralded tradition of student success," Hurley said. "My family and I are excited to be in Stephenville and already feel so welcomed. With the help of Tarleton's dedicated faculty and staff, we will strive to become the leading comprehensive regional university in the nation. Our determination has no limits. Our goals have no ceiling."
As Tarleton's chief executive officer, Hurley will supervise 1,400 employees, manage a $185 million annual budget and provide vision for a comprehensive curriculum to serve more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, The RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan and online.
"Dr. Hurley possesses the executive leadership and innovative spirit needed to continue Tarleton's trajectory as the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond," said A&M System Regent Bill Mahomes, who chaired the search committee. "His outstanding track record has led to enrollment growth, faculty excellence, new degree programs and financial stability in the institutions he has served. I am confident he will continue John Tarleton's dream of providing accessible, affordable higher education. His demonstrated ability to connect with students, faculty, staff and the community is invaluable to Tarleton's mission."
Tyler Schuster, president of Tarleton's Student Government Association, said she looks forward to working with Hurley. "He brings lots of energy and vision to Tarleton, and the student body is excited about his leadership. We look forward to welcoming President Hurley and his family into our Texan family."
During his 23-year career in education, Hurley has served as instructor, professor, dean, vice president and president, with extensive experience at comprehensive higher educational institutions. Under his leadership at Tusculum, the school converted from college to university status and added the University Health Center, the College of Health Sciences, the Niswonger College of Optometry, and the College of Science, Technology and Math.
Prior to Tusculum, he served as chief operating officer and executive vice president, and professor of leadership and education, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.
Hurley and his wife, Kindall, look forward to engaging in community service activities in Stephenville and throughout North Texas.
Hurley is a first-generation college graduate. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and finance from Morehead State University, a master's degree in education from Indiana University, and a bachelor's degree in business education and management from the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky., where he served as president and president-elect from 2011 to 2015.
He completed the Institute for Presidential Leadership at Harvard University and received a certificate of higher education management from Vanderbilt University and a Rank 1 Certification in educational supervision from the University of Kentucky.
The Hurleys are proud parents of sons Drew and Carter and daughters Blayklee and Brooklyn.
Hurley replaces Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio, who is stepping down after 11 years of service.
Tarleton, a founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today's scholars into tomorrow's leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
