Dean Thomas L. Koch Announces Retirement, Closing a Decade of Transformative Leadership

Dean Thomas L. Koch informed President Garimella and Interim Provost Marx of his plans to retire on June 30, 2025, after serving as the dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences (OSC) since 2012. 

Under Dean Koch's visionary leadership, OSC experienced remarkable growth and expanded its research and educational scope in exciting new directions. He has fostered valuable strategic partnerships across the college's stakeholder community and led philanthropic efforts, including securing the largest endowed chair faculty campaign in U of A history. Through his guidance, OSC increased its faculty by 35% and doubled the number of tenured/tenure-eligible female faculty members, and saw a rise in both Ph.D. and undergraduate enrollment.

Reflecting on his tenure, Dean Koch said, "I feel privileged to serve and be part of such a wonderfully talented and creative community, and I am highly confident that OSC will continue to thrive and have a tremendous impact in lighting the way for the future." 

Interim Provost Marx expressed gratitude for Dean Koch's leadership, stating, "Dean Koch has led the Wyant College of Optical Sciences with outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. He has been a champion of one of our unique strengths in science and engineering here at the University of Arizona. We are deeply grateful for his service."

Information on the search for his successor will be forthcoming.