Philip Oldham

The Tennessee Board of Regents unanimously approved Philip Oldham as the next president of Tennessee Technological University.

Oldham will assume his leadership role July 1 after current President Bob Bell retires.

The board met via telephone Friday to consider Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan's recommendation of Oldham, the provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Oldham was selected after an extensive nationwide search that began earlier this year.

He has served the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for the last five years. His previous experience was at Mississippi State University, where he was dean of arts and sciences before moving to UTC.

"My family and I are incredibly honored and humbled by the support and encouragement we have received from the entire Tennessee Tech community," said Oldham in a news release.