Walter J. Branson

Walter J. Branson, vice chancellor for financial affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), will become vice chancellor for finance and administration at Missouri University of Science and Technology on Aug. 1.

“Walt Branson brings a wealth of financial and administrative experience in a higher education setting, including 20 years of experience as a vice chancellor,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader. “I look forward to having him join our leadership team as we move forward with a new strategic vision for our campus.”

“Missouri S&T has a clear focus and mission as a technological research university, and I want to be a part of that,” says Branson. “I’m looking forward to working with Chancellor Schrader and her team to carry out the university’s strategy for success.”

Branson succeeds Steve Malott, who served as vice chancellor for administrative services at S&T from 2001 until his retirement in August 2012. Since Malott’s retirement, Randy Stoll, director of business services, has served as interim vice chancellor.

As vice chancellor for finance and administration, Branson will oversee the university’s budgeting, planning, business operations and environmental management functions, as well as the campus’s grounds, maintenance, physical plant operations and university police.

Branson has served as IPFW’s vice chancellor for financial affairs since 1993. In that position, he serves as the university’s chief financial officer and directs six campus departments, as well as student housing. He also serves as one of the university’s primary legislative contacts and community liaisons, and is chief operating officer of the IPFW Foundation.

Branson also served as interim chancellor of the campus from July 1 through Aug. 31, 2012.

Prior to joining IPFW, Branson served on the staff of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., from 1978 through 1993. He served as a business administrator for Purdue’s computing center from 1978 to 1981, then joined the fiscal planning office as manager of costing (1981 to 1986) and assistant director (1986-1989). He joined Purdue’s School of Agriculture as senior business administrator and served in that position until becoming IPFW’s vice chancellor in 1993.

Branson holds a bachelor of science degree in forest management and a master of science degree in industrial administration, both from Purdue.

In Fort Wayne, he has been involved in a variety of community activities, including the regional Easter Seals/ARC organization, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Legislative Council, the Northwest Indiana Innovation Center, Fort Wayne Sports Corp. and United Way’s Real Men Read. He and his wife, Linda Branson, have two children: daughter Lisa, who will be a college freshman next fall, and a son, Daniel, who will be a junior in high school.