DANBURY, CONN. — James W. Schmotter, president of Western Connecticut State University, announced today that Dr. Linda K. Rinker, provost and vice president for academic affairs, is leaving the university to take a position at another university in Michigan.

Schmotter said Rinker “has made a massive contribution to this university’s growth and progress over the past four years. I know that I speak for faculty and staff colleagues in saying that she will be greatly missed. Consistently she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the academic success of our students. No matter who assumes leadership of academic affairs, this commitment will continue.”

Rinker will join Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich., as provost and executive vice president of academic affairs.

The process to name an interim provost for at least the remainder of the 2010-11 academic year at WCSU has begun.

Rinker, in announcing “one of the most difficult decisions I have made in my academic career,” said, “it has been a pleasure to work under the inspired leadership of President Schmotter with the administrative team, the faculty, the support staff, and an outstanding student body. Western will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Rinker joined Western in July 2006. Previously, she was provost and academic vice president at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She had also held the positions of interim president at Kutztown and Interim Vice Chancellor for Planning, Administration & Budget for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

She earned an MSN in nursing administration from Villanova University and an Ed.D. in education administration from Columbia University Teacher’s College.

A university provost is responsible for curriculum and faculty. Under Rinker’s tenure, the university founded a School of Visual and Performing Arts, created a doctoral program in educational leadership, and is close to final approval for another doctoral program in nursing education.

At WCSU, Rinker also led several community-based initiatives, including a unique partnership with Danbury and Bethel public schools that coordinates high school and university curriculum to reduce the number of WCSU students who need remedial classes; a “Community Report Card” that catalogued the health care needs of the region; and “One Book, One Community,” which encourages residents throughout Danbury to come together by reading the same book once a year.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.