CONTACT:                                                                                                      
Stephanie Carroll
Manager of Business Development & Community Relations
City of Auburn Hills
248.364.6802
scarroll@auburnhills.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AUBURN HILLS OFFICIALS REACT TO ANNOUNCEMENT OF SEARCH FOR NEW OU PRESIDENT

Auburn Hills, MI.---September 29, 2016--- Shocked and disappointed are two words Auburn Hills officials are using to describe today’s announcement that the Oakland University Board of Trustees will be launching a search to replace the university’s president, Dr. George Hynd. Hynd has held the role of president for the last two years.

Auburn Hills City Manager Tom Tanghe, an OU alum and current post-masters student, said that his interactions have grown tremendously with the university in part because of the confidence he has in Hynd’s leadership. “I’m not in any position to stand in judgment of the Board’s decision, but from my perspective, Auburn Hills is losing a tremendous friend and supporter." In the last two years, Auburn Hills’ leaders readily admit that the relationship between Oakland University and the City of Auburn Hills has never been more genuine or stronger.  

Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel, also an OU alum, echoed the sentiments of City Manager Tanghe.  “For decades, OU has seen itself as an island between two cities in which it resides; Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. Figuratively speaking for Auburn Hills, I can tell you that President Hynd built a bridge to our community." 

While there is a laundry list of significant accomplishments at OU in the last two years, among them is the partnership between Auburn Hills and OU to complete the streetscape along University Drive from I-75 to the entrance to the University. “We are so honored to be the hometown of Oakland University, and Dr. Hynd was equally proud to collaborate with Auburn Hills on the final development of this project,” said Tanghe. Hynd is often heard commenting on the streetscape and its meaning to the greater community, more formally tying the university to its hometown. “The entire academic and administrative functions of the university are physically located within the corporate boundaries of Auburn Hills,” noted Mayor McDaniel. “Dr. Hynd was the first president to publicly recognize this fact and he was proud of it,” the Mayor added.

About Auburn Hills
The City of Auburn Hills is a distinguished leader in southeast Michigan. Home to approximately 23,000 residents, as well as a workday population of approximately 100,000, Auburn Hills continues to be a thriving global business address. It is home to over 70 international corporations and hosts the World and North American headquarters for numerous outstanding businesses such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Continental Automotive Systems, Faurecia, and BorgWarner. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award-winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.

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