Adrian College Alumnus Named New Superintendent posted 4/22/08
Chris Timmis ’96 will begin his new role in Adrian Public Schools this summer

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College alumnus Chris Timmis was named the new superintendent of Adrian Public Schools on April 10 during a special meeting of the Adrian Board of Education. Timmis was one of only four candidates publicly interviewed for the position.

Timmis will finish up the school year in his current position, Adrian High School Principal. He will also assist with hiring a Chief Financial Officer and a new high school principal for the school district. He will officially take over as superintendent on July 1.

Prior to starting at Adrian High School last year, Timmis was the director of curriculum at Airport Community Schools for two years. According to the Adrian Public Schools website, since coming to Adrian High School, Timmis has formed a scholarship partnership with Siena Heights University, initiated a credit recovery program and an alternative education program, and set up a Website that can be used by teachers, students and groups to post information.

Timmis received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Adrian College in 1996 (Class of 1995) in Secondary Education with a double-major in Mathematics and Communications-Advocacy. He then earned a Master of Education degree from Wayne State in 1999 in Educational Leadership. Timmis most recently earned his Doctorate of Education from Eastern Michigan University in 2007 in Educational Leadership.

Timmis remembers fondly of his years spent at Adrian College.

“My time at AC was great,” says Timmis. “In high school, I was an OK student, but I would have never guessed I'd be where I am today. I still remember the visit to Adrian back in high school. It was a beautiful day in the fall, the campus and town had the fall color peaking, and it felt like the place I really wanted to be. My mind was made up the minute I pulled into town and onto the campus. Now I live 5 houses away.”

Timmis says he had other aspirations for his major when coming to the College as a freshman.

“When I first came to Adrian College, I planned on majoring in PE (physical education) and preparing to be a PE teacher,” says Timmis. “I ended up majoring in math and speech, played baseball for a year and directed a play. The leadership opportunities and activities available on campus helped me develop the skills that I now use every day. The professors were great and I grew both socially and academically.”

Timmis believes his time at Adrian College is the reason for furthering his education and helped set him for success.

“On my wall in my office, I have my degree from Adrian in the middle of my masters and the doctorate because I wouldn't have completed the masters or doctorate without my time at Adrian College.”