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BETHANY, W.Va. – Anju Ramjee, professor of finance and business and chair of the business department, has been named provost and dean of faculty at Bethany College.

“Dr. Ramjee is cherished by the Bethany community as a professor, mentor, and administrator,” said Jamie Caridi, interim president of Bethany College. “With her demonstrated leadership and deep commitment to Bethany’s mission and strategic goals, I am certain she will cultivate and support Bethany’s continued academic excellence.”

“Dr. Ramjee has been a leader on the Bethany faculty for 18 years, and she is consistently one of our most creative and entrepreneurial academic innovators. She is always thinking about new programs we can offer as an institution and new ways that we can advance our students’ learning,” said Provost and Dean of Faculty Joe Lane, who will leave Bethany to pursue another career opportunity in mid-June. “Her contributions to our strategic planning work of the last several years have already led to new academic programs, and I am confident that she will continue to empower faculty colleagues to create new and exciting courses and programs for our students.”

Ramjee was hired as professor of business and economics in 2004 by Emeritus Professor W. Randolph “Randy” Cooey, who remains her close mentor, confidant, and sounding board. She was appointed chair of the business department in 2016 and went on to assume additional leadership roles of John F. and Evelyn Casey Steen professor in finance and director of the school of graduate studies.

“I am enthusiastic about this new position and look forward to working with the Board and President Caridi as we begin the process of implementing our strategic plan,” said Ramjee. “I look forward to working closely with my faculty colleagues in ensuring that we continue to foster an academic environment that is conducive to ‘educating effective, honorable, humane, and intelligent citizens who believe in and will promote the creation of a world of worth and value, integrating critical reason with convictions of faith, personal accomplishment with ethical responsibility, and individual development with service to others (source: College Catalogue).’”

Ramjee earned her MBA and Ph.D. in finance from University of Cincinnati and B.Com. from Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration. With over 37 years of teaching experience at higher education institutions, including University of Cincinnati, St. John Fisher College, and Northern Kentucky University, Ramjee’s longest tenure has been at Bethany College.

Lisa Reilly will remain in her current role as associate provost, associate professor of chemistry, Goulding-Woolery professorship in chemistry, chair of physical and computational sciences, and accreditation liaison officer. Melanee Sinclair, professor of social work, chair of the social work department, and program director of the social work program, will also take on the role of associate provost.

“Expanding the capacity of the Provost’s Office is key in our efforts to achieve the substantial goals outlined in the institution’s three-year strategic plan, Build for a Lifetime,” said Caridi. “With Dr. Reilly’s proven success in the associate provost position and Professor Sinclair’s expertise and demonstrated leadership at Bethany, I am confident that the Provost’s Office will achieve success in hitting internal goals and enhancing the Bethany experience.”

“I am thrilled to work side by side with Dr. Lisa Reilly and Professor Melanee Sinclair as we make significant changes to our program offerings at the undergraduate and graduate level,” said Ramjee. “This is going to be a period full of challenges and opportunities for Bethany College, and I am deeply humbled and honored to provide leadership to the academic community of the institution.”

Lane is committed to working closely with Ramjee, Reilly, and Sinclair to ensure a smooth transition over the coming weeks.

“Dr. Lane has been instrumental in his role as provost and dean of faculty over the past five years. His work on advancing institutional strategic initiatives, leading accreditation efforts, and providing faculty development opportunities will continue to impact Bethany’s success long after his departure,” said Caridi. “We offer Dr. Lane our sincerest gratitude for his years of service to Bethany and wish him the best as he takes on his new role at North Carolina Wesleyan College.”

ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE

Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.