Michael Renner, who previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, will become Drake University’s next provost on June 1, 2009.

Drake officials announced that Renner will succeed Ronald Troyer, who is retiring in June after a 28-year career at Drake, including nine years as provost.

“Michael Renner has the academic leadership experience that Drake needs to move forward to achieve even greater successes for our students, faculty and the entire community,” said Drake Board of Trustees Chair James Hubbell. “We are confident that Dr. Renner will help us take the university to a new level of prominence and prestige.”

Renner served as Mansfield’s provost and vice president for academic affairs for three years, where he is also professor of psychology. He also was the founding dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Nazareth College in Pittsford, N.Y.

Renner previously spent 13 years at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he was professor of psychology and held numerous administrative positions. In addition, Renner has taught at Memphis State University, the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, the University of Wyoming, California State University and the University of California, Berkeley.

An expert in animal behavior and neuroscience, Renner received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boise State University, a master’s degree in developmental psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in biological psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.