After nearly 12 years at the helm of Dixie State College, college president Dr. Robert Huddleston is moving on. That announcement was made today and will take effect June 30, 2005. DSC’s fifteenth president, Huddleston came to Dixie in 1993 from Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., where he served as dean of instruction. After first landing at Dixie, it was reported that Huddleston wanted for Dixie what Gateway had gotten – growth. “Give me six months and I’ll tell you how much,” he told St. George’s Daily Spectrum at the time. Twelve years later, enrollment at Dixie State has grown from 3,000 to over 8,000. Full-time enrollment has also more than doubled.

 “It’s time for new leadership at the college,” Huddleston stated. “I’ve had a different emphasis than Dr. Alder during my time here, and there’s no doubt my successor will take the college in a new direction. Periodic change in leadership is appropriate and healthy.”

Huddleston has become known for his vision and will perhaps be most remembered for his role in establishing Dixie College as a four-year state institution in 2000. Two bachelor’s degrees were introduced at the college at that time. Two years later, the college added an elementary education degree, a nursing degree in 2004, and is now eyeing a fifth degree in communications.

“President Huddleston has guided many significant changes, but I think his development of the health sciences and bachelor’s degrees will have the most lasting impact on the College,” said vice president of college services Stan Plewe, who has now served with four different DSC presidents. “We are a very different institution in many ways than we were when he was first hired. It has been a very enjoyable experience to see the growth and improvements during the Huddleston years.”

During his tenure, the number of buildings on campus has also grown extensively. He led the charge to assume full ownership of the former Dixie Convention Center, which is now home to a computer center, fitness center, a fine and performing arts auditorium, and a basketball arena. He acquired the former LDS Institute Building and a former Harmon’s grocery store, which now headquarter the college’s art and math departments along with several other programs. And he played a key role in obtaining funding for the Udvar-Hazy Business Building and Eccles Fine Arts Center, and is currently leading the charge to build a facility dedicated entirely to the health sciences.

One of Huddleston’s mantras has been accountability. Under his leadership, Dixie State has gained a reputation in the eyes of many as one of the best-managed institutions of higher learning in the state. The college’s annual report each year and plan for institutional effectiveness have been praised by many and have been a testament to his commitment to accountability. Fundraising has been another. The college has raised an average of $3 million each year under his leadership and millions more in deferred gifts.

“Bob Huddleston has been incredibly far-sighted in his vision of Dixie’s potential,” said associate vice president of advancement Bill Fowler, who also has worked with four Dixie College presidents. “He has been a tremendous asset for Dixie in working with the Legislature, and is highly respected and admired by the Regents and the Utah System of Higher Education Council of Presidents. He loves Dixie State College and has been the point man on every critical issue that has brought success to Dixie.”

 Economic development has been another focus of Huddleston’s. He established the first paid professional position for economic development in Washington County, which continues to be headquartered on the Dixie campus. He organized the Leadership Dixie Committee, the mission of which has been to develop a corps of informed, qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for Washington County, and chaired the first year of its operation.

A former baseball player drafted by two major league baseball teams, Huddleston has also been a supporter of intercollegiate athletics. Prior to his arrival, the college had won a single national championship. Since 2000, Dixie has won four additional national championships, one of which was captained by volunteer head soccer coach Linda Huddleston, his wife. Currently, the college is eyeing a jump to the NCAA Division II level in order to better align its athletic department with the academic mission of the college.

Huddleston will take a year’s leave of absence and then begin teaching in the business department at Dixie State College beginning fall semester of 2006. He has taught an accounting course at the college for the past two years.

“My family and I love Washington County and are grateful for the opportunity to stay,” Huddleston continued.

The search for a replacement for Huddleston will begin immediately and will ultimately be determined by the Utah State Board of Regents.