Major Cathy Ryan was named interim police chief at Vanderbilt University, replacing departing Chief Marlon Lynch while a national search is launched for his successor.
“Major Ryan comes to this role with 21 years experience within the Vanderbilt community,” said Lauren Brisky, vice chancellor for administration and chief financial officer. “We are indeed fortunate to have someone with her extensive background to serve in this capacity.”
Marlon Lynch, assistant vice chancellor and chief of police, has resigned his Vanderbilt position effective Feb. 1 to take a job as associate vice president for safety and security at the University of Chicago. Lynch, who came to Vanderbilt in 2005, is a native of Chicago.
“In his tenure as assistant vice chancellor and chief, Marlon developed a comprehensive plan for the future of the Vanderbilt Police Department and made significant strides toward putting that plan into motion. Just as important, he created a vision for his team members and maintained the sense of professionalism and duty to the organization that have been a hallmark of the VPD for many years,” Brisky said.
A search for a permanent new Vanderbilt police chief will be launched, led by Jerry Fife, associate vice chancellor for business services and research finance.
Ryan has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas-Arlington and a master’s certificate from the University of Virginia. She is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and the Southeastern Command and Leadership Academy.
The Vanderbilt Police Department is one of Tennessee’s larger law enforcement agencies and provides comprehensive law enforcement and security services to all components of the university including the academic campus, medical center and a variety of university-owned facilities throughout the Davidson County area.
An independent, privately supported research university employing more than 2,800 full-time faculty and a staff of over 21,500, Vanderbilt is the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee and the second largest private employer in the state. About 6,500 undergraduates and 5,300 graduate and professional students study at Vanderbilt.
The Vanderbilt campus spans more than 300 acres in midtown Nashville.
Media contact: Princine Lewis, (615) 322-NEWS
princine.lewis@vanderbilt.edu