220 MTSU’S THOMAS ACCEPTS WESTERN ILLINOIS PROVOST, ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT POSITION

mtsunews.com


Release date: Dec. 18, 2007


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler or Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919



MTSU’S THOMAS ACCEPTS WESTERN ILLINOIS
PROVOST, ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT POSITION


(MURFREESBORO) — Dr. Jack Thomas, senior vice provost for academic affairs and professor of English at MTSU, will be leaving the university Dec. 31 after being named provost and academic vice president at Western Illinois University in Macomb, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced recently.
Thomas, who came to MTSU in 2004, will assume his new duties Jan. 1, 2008, officials at Western Illinois said. WIU has an enrollment of about 13,000 students.
“I have had a great experience here at MTSU as senior vice provost for academic affairs,” Thomas said. “I am thankful for the opportunities President McPhee and Provost (Kaylene) Gebert have given me at MTSU.
“I have wonderful colleagues, great friends – I extended myself throughout the university and community that includes my church, First Baptist on East Castle Street. However, this is a great opportunity for me at Western Illinois – an opportunity that the Lord has opened for me.”
McPhee and Gebert shared remarks at a Dec. 13 reception honoring Thomas.
“Dr. Thomas has been a highly competent, loyal member of MTSU’s
leadership team,” McPhee said. “We have no doubt that he will bring the same energy and dedication that he has brought to MTSU to his new position at Western Illinois University. We know that he will be very successful in his new post and wish him the very best.”
“These four years have gone fast, but … much has been accomplished,” Gebert said, adding that the accomplishments include a new Academic Master Plan, new programs and the implementation of new promotion and tenure policies.
“Jack has lent strength to our diversity activities including a new institutional diversity office and an exceptional group of Geier dissertation scholars and visiting professors,” Gebert said. “He has handled student and faculty issues with grace, diplomacy and, at times, a firm hand. We have built a strong team concept of management with academic affairs and have had fun at the same time.”
Western Illinois President Al Goldfarb announced Thomas’ hiring earlier this month.
“Dr. Thomas’ outstanding experiences in the areas of academic enrichment programs, diversity, student affairs, internationalization and distance learning as well as his understanding of and enthusiasm for Western’s strategic plan, mission and core values made him the top choice in a field of exceptional candidates,” Goldfarb said.
Thomas was elevated to senior vice provost at MTSU in July 2006 after being vice provost for academic affairs for two years. He also served as interim dean of the College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning.
Before arriving at MTSU, Thomas served at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md., from 1990 to 2004, in a number of capacities, including interim president (2001-02), executive vice president (2001), professor of English throughout his tenure and even was assistant coach for the Hawks’ track and field team for eight seasons.
Thomas earned his doctorate in English literature and criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1990, his master’s in English education from Virginia State University in 1984 and his bachelor’s in English from Alabama A&M in 1983.
Thomas’ honors and distinctions include Kellogg-NAFEO MIS Leadership Fellow from 2003-04 in the Office of the President at Alabama State University; American Council on Education Fellow in the spring of 1999 while serving in the Office of the President at Maryland Eastern Shore; and American Council on Education Fellow in the fall of 1998 while serving in the Office of the President at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Thomas said he and his family – wife Linda and sons Patrick, 16, and Darius, 12, – would move to Macomb by the end of December.
Linda Thomas has been an Oakland High School guidance counselor who will be employed at Western Illinois as a counselor and adviser, her husband said. Thomas said their sons are track standouts at Oakland High School and Central Middle School, respectively, and will be transferring to schools in Macomb.
Jack Thomas has served as associate minister of First Baptist Church on East Castle Street since October 2006.
For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

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Media notes: A .jpg photo of Dr. Jack Thomas is attached.
To interview Thomas, call 615-347-7069 (cell phone).