WVSU Introduces New President to Campus and Community

INSTITUTE, W.Va., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Brian O. Hemphill was officially welcomed today as the 10^th president of West Virginia State University by the institution's Board of Governors, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community leaders, during a press conference at Erickson Alumni Center.  His appointment was approved by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission at its May 18 meeting.

Hemphill was the unanimous choice of the Board of Governors following a national search that began earlier this year.  He has served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Northern Illinois University (NIU) since 2004 and was appointed to lead the university's Enrollment Management division in 2009.  Hemphill was a tenured associate professor at NIU in the department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education.  He has held numerous leadership roles in national higher education organizations and has published and presented extensively on leadership and crisis management.

As president and chief executive officer, Hemphill will report to the WVSU Board of Governors and will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the institution. "We are very pleased to have a great educator to lead West Virginia State to new heights of excellence," said WVSU Board of Governors Chairman Larry Rowe.  "He is recognized nationally for his holistic approach to education and shared governance, and we look forward to the positive impact his leadership will make on our University," Rowe added.

"I am honored, humbled, and truly blessed to be named the 10^th President of West Virginia State University," said Hemphill, "and I look forward to beginning a strong partnership of shared governance with its faculty, students, and alumni.  West Virginia State has a proud history and a thirst for new experiences that will propel it to a place of prominence in providing unparalleled experiences for students, communities, and business partners in West Virginia and beyond."

HEPC Chancellor Paul Hill joined Rowe in welcoming Hemphill to West Virginia. "I look forward to working with Dr. Hemphill during this transition period and as he leads West Virginia State University into the future."

Hemphill's presidency officially begins July 1.  In the interim he is meeting with a presidential transition team to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership.  "Dr. Carter and his staff have been generous and gracious in their welcome, and I look forward to working beside them for the next few weeks to create a seamless transition for our University," said Hemphill. President Hazo W. Carter, Jr. will retire June 30 after serving as the university's president for 25 years.

West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, WV. As a "living laboratory of human relations," the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.

SOURCE West Virginia State University