McFarland Selected as First University CIO

Published: January 18, 2013 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Southern Utah University is pleased to announce the completion of a search to fill the revamped position of chief information officer with the hiring of Thomas McFarland.

Becoming SUU’s first CIO, McFarland wants to help ready the University for emerging technology. “Technology will always be changing and advancing, and I hope that I can better prepare SUU for those changes so it can continue encouraging life-long learning with its students,” explained McFarland.

McFarland comes to SUU with more than 30 years of experience in information technology within the academic and private fields; most recently he was dean of Utah Valley University’s School of Technology and Computing.

In reference to McFarland’s experience, SUU President Michael T. Benson said, “Tom is the right guy at the right time in SUU’s institutional trajectory. He brings with him a sound understanding of higher education as well as solid experience of the corporate world. That combination of experience will serve us well.”

McFarland filled the position of the recently retired Glen Pryor, who served for 27 years as vice president of information technology. The position was remodeled as the broader CIO position, and now includes a place within the SUU President’s Council.

“All of us within the council know the importance of technology and knew it needed an equal footing to help SUU move forward,” explained Provost Bradley Cook on altering the position. “It will bring a greater awareness and consciousness about the importance of technology into our decision making.”

McFarland received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with studies in computing and electrical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in computer resource management from Webster University.

A native of New Mexico, McFarland began his career as chief of operations and analytical marketing for the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 21 years. He has also acted as president of Century Software as well as chief technical and information officer for the Institute of International Research.

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