Patrick Lloyd called becoming the dean of the University of MinnesotaâÄôs School of Dentistry an âÄúopportunity of a lifetime.âÄù

But after more than seven years at the post, he is moving on to new challenges. Lloyd was named the dean of Ohio State UniversityâÄôs College of Dentistry, the University announced Wednesday, but will remain at Minnesota until August 1.

In addition to his duties as dean, Lloyd will also become director of dentistry for Ohio StateâÄôs medical center. âÄúThis is a new challenge for me,âÄù Lloyd said. âÄúItâÄôs something that I look forward to in a new setting.âÄù

Lloyd said among his proudest accomplishments at Minnesota was increasing diversity through the 40 new hires made in the past seven years. Among those new faculty members, 42 percent were women. Judith Buchanan, an associate dean in the school of dentistry, was recruited by Lloyd six years ago from the University of Pennsylvania. She said the news of LloydâÄôs departure was âÄúa surprise for all of us.âÄù

âÄúIâÄôm not sure thereâÄôs another individual that could have come into this school at the time he did and do as much as he did in the country,âÄù Buchanan said. âÄúHeâÄôs the hardest-working person IâÄôve ever met in my life.âÄù

University of Minnesota Provost Tom Sullivan wished Lloyd good luck in a press release, while indicating his plans to help find a new dean. The schoolâÄôs council of chairs will meet May 25 to start preliminary discussion on finding Lloyd’s successor.

âÄúAs we move forward with these next steps, I will be in consultation with President [Robert] Bruininks and President-designate [Eric] Kaler so as to insure an effective and successful appointment of an interim dean and ultimately a search committee,âÄù Sullivan said in the release.

Lloyd sent an email to the schoolâÄôs faculty, staff and students thanking them for their âÄúoutstanding efforts,âÄù in developing the school. âÄúI donâÄôt regret any minute that IâÄôve been here,âÄù Lloyd said. âÄúIâÄôve developed more close friendships with faculty, staff and that I have in my entire life.âÄù