Morgan State University Newsroom Morgan State University
Morgan State University President David Wilson today announced the promotions of Dr. Kara Turner to vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success, and the Rev. Bernard Keels as the University’s first-ever dean of the Morgan State University Memorial Chapel. Both appointments are effective immediately.
“I am pleased to announce new titles and expanded roles here at the University for Dr. Turner and Reverend Keels,” said President Wilson. “The installation of Morgan’s first-ever dean of the chapel places the University in a strengthened position to expand its community impact while enhancing its faith-based initiatives and service to students. The moves I have made are also intended to solidify the important gains we have made in the area of enrollment, recruitment, retention and graduation rates, keeping Morgan on a consistent path of success. Both of these appointments are well deserved.”
Dr. Kara Turner, who for the last five years has served as associate provost for Enrollment Management and Student Success, will now hold the title of vice president for the unit, stewarding the University’s continued growth in the years to come. Under her guidance and management, Morgan’s enrollment has shown a marked improvement in the areas of student retention and graduation rate. As vice president, she will be tasked with directing the University’s efforts to see its graduation rate climb to at least 50 percent by the year 2025.
Dr. Bernard Keels has served as director of Morgan’s Memorial Chapel since joining the University in 2008. In addition to overseeing the chapel, he is an adjunct faculty member in Morgan’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. As dean, He will have a greater academic influence, addressing ways through which Morgan’s interfaith dialogue can be reflected in course suggestions, particularly in the discipline of Islamic Studies. Dr. Keels will also engage with campus spiritual and religious groups, as well as with non-University groups and ministerial alliances, to further connect Morgan’s work with the faith community.
The University Memorial Chapel is the center of religious and spiritual life at Morgan State University and is dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual, temporal and religious needs of students, faculty, staff and administration. The Chapel assists students, faculty, and staff in developing an appreciation for spiritual and moral values in their lives. Formerly known as the Morgan Christian Center, it was renamed the University Memorial Chapel when the deed of the facility was transferred to Morgan in 2009.
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral Research Institution offering more than 70 academic programs leading to bachelor’s degrees as well as programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. As Maryland’s Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. More information about the university is available at www.morgan.edu.
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