Baptist Health Sciences University provost retires after 28-year tenure

Baptist Health Sciences University Provost Barry Schultz, Ph.D., retired on Dec. 8, 2023, after a 28-year career with the university, three years of which he served as provost.

Schultz was one of the original five faculty members hired at the former Baptist College of Health Sciences when it transitioned from the Baptist School of Nursing in 1995. For 13 years, he taught math and was recognized as the Rose Y. Temple Distinguished Faculty in 2002. In 2008, he was promoted to dean of general education and health studies, a position he served in until he was named provost in 2020.

While serving as dean, he was instrumental in creating the biomedical sciences, pre-health studies, public health and honors programs. Most recently, he helped lead development of the Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Dr. Schultz has been an invaluable support and resource during my first few months as president of Baptist Health Sciences University,” said Hampton Hopkins, president of Baptist Health Sciences University since July 2023. “He is a leader who is always helping to advance the mission and vision of the university. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him well in his retirement.”

The university plans to identify an internal committee of academic and administrative leaders, faculty and students to select a firm to help conduct the national search for a new provost. Hopkins will serve in that role in the interim.

Baptist Health Sciences University (formerly known as Baptist College of Health Sciences) was started in 1912. BHSU offers 15 programs of study, including the College of Osteopathic Medicine, which will accept its first class of students in fall 2024. In 2017, the Memphis Business Journal ranked the school first among Memphis-area colleges and universities for the best return on investment. Based on a comparison of postgraduate earnings with cost of attendance, BHSU alumni earn more than graduates of any other college or university in the area. Visit www.baptistu.edu for more information.