Dr. Timothy M. Stearns has offered his resignation as executive director of the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State. With his resignation, he has accepted a temporary appointment as special assistant to the provost until June 30, 2016. Provost Lynnette Zelezny made the announcement today.
Stearns will assist the provost in correction of the audit findings recently released by the California State University Office of Internal Audit, facilitate transition for new leadership of the Lyles Center and provide assistance in the planning of the upcoming 10-year anniversary of center’s location on campus.
He will continue as a faculty member in the Craig School of Business in the specialty of entrepreneurship curricula and will share his vast expertise in the community.
Stearns said in his resignation letter to President Joseph I. Castro, “I appreciate your continued support and look forward to the Lyles Center achieving greater success in the future. The opportunity the University has provided me over the past 20 years to build and grow a national prominent center and program will always provide me with great appreciation.”
Stearns has been the executive director of the Lyles Center since it was established in 2003. It has become a hub for development and entrepreneurial education; the work of the Lyles Center is known across the Valley and around the globe.
Zelezny said an announcement is forthcoming on an interim executive director to serve while a nationwide search for a new director is conducted.
