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Harden to lead Peach Belt Conference

On July 1, Clayton College & State University President Dr. Thomas K. Harden will become president of the Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors for the 2004-05 season. As president, Harden will be in charge of making sure that any issues that affect the conference are addressed by the board and will work closely with the commissioner, Marvin Vanover, to set the agendas for the board meetings.

Prior to becoming the third president of Clayton State on June 1, 2000, Harden served as the dean of Eastern Michigan University's College of Technology since June 1993 and as dean of the College of Business since January 1999. In that dual assignment, he held responsibility for all budgets, more than 5000 students, 137 full-time faculty, numerous staff and management of the physical plant associated with the two colleges.

His accomplishments at Clayton State have been highlighted by continuing advances in the University's award-winning Information Technology Project (ITP), the groundbreaking and on-going construction of the $19 million University Center, the establishment of the first joint state and federal archives facilities adjacent to campus, and the institution of a comprehensive strategic planning process.

Harden earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial education in 1974 from Miami University of Ohio and an M.S. in educational administration from the University of Dayton in 1978. He earned his Ed.D. in adult/technical education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration from the University of Cincinnati in 1981. In 1995, Harden earned a Certificate in College Management from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is the first Clayton State official to preside over the Peach Belt Conference. Clayton State has been a member of the Peach Belt since 1995.

The Peach Belt Conference is committed to providing through its dependent collegiate members, a forum for student participation in athletic, academic and co-curricular events under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division II. The conference’s Vision Statement reads, “We will exemplify the characteristics of a premier intercollegiate conference that prides itself on the inclusion of students of all demographic groups who wish to participate in a well-rounded sports program. Our institutions, our academic goals, our athletic aspirations reflect a communality of purpose and a commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.”