Timothy Austin Named Provost of Duquesne University

Timothy R. Austin, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College since 2006, will become the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The announcement was made today by Charles J. Dougherty, University president.

“While Tim will be greatly missed here at Holy Cross, we wish him every success in his new position at Duquesne. We realize that this is a wonderful opportunity for him that is well deserved,” Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president of the College, said. “He has made an extraordinary impact on Holy Cross and on Jesuit higher education during his time here. He has done tremendous work enhancing faculty development, introducing new student research opportunities, launching a number of important new programs—such as Montserrat—and raising the national profile of Holy Cross in the higher education community. He has also been a great friend and colleague, one who always puts the interests of the College and its students first.”

Austin joined the senior leadership team at Holy Cross nearly seven years ago after serving as dean of Creighton University’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of English (2001-06). He began his teaching career in the English department at Loyola University Chicago in 1977, rising to chair of the department before moving to Creighton.

A native of England and graduate of Oxford and the University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Austin’s research interests include theoretical syntax, the teaching of grammar, the grammar of poetry and the history of the English language. Widely published and an active figure in professional organizations such as the Modern Language Association, he is the author many scholarly articles as well as two major books.

Duquesne selected him after an extensive national search.

Austin will depart Holy Cross in late June and assume his new duties at Duquesne on July 15.

The College will undertake a national search for a permanent successor to Austin, details of which will be announced by Fr. Boroughs at a later date.