I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David G. Marker as interim provost for the University of West Florida, effective Dec. 15.

Dr. Marker most recently served as interim president of St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla. There, he created a strategic plan for the institution adopted by the Board of Directors, as well as transitioned the university from a $2 million annual deficit to a balanced budget and sound financial foundation over just 18 months.

In addition, Dr. Marker also spearheaded the implementation of five new undergraduate programs, the exploration of a new nursing degree and the launch of a master of business administration program at St. Gregory’s University.

Dr. Marker’s other recent experience includes serving as interim provost and interim president at Pacific Oaks College (Pasadena, Calif.); interim vice president for academic affairs at Assumption College (Worcester, Mass.); and several other interim positions throughout the United States.

He has served in numerous permanent positions, including president of Des Moines University (Des Moines, Iowa); president of Cornell College (Mount Vernon, Iowa); and provost and associate dean for academic affairs of Hope College (Holland, Mich.). He holds doctorate and master’s degrees in physics from the Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Grinnell College.

I am confident that Dr. Marker’s broad experience in higher education and understanding of the needs of the University of West Florida will make him an immediate asset in the role of interim provost.

In fact, Dr. Marker will immediately begin to move forward the recommendations of the Academic Visioning team. We will host a Phase One Wrap-Up Open Forum on Friday Jan. 6  at 1 p.m. in the UWF Conference Center. At this forum, Dr. Mike Huggins and Dr. Stacie Whinnery will give a report of Phase One of Academic Visioning, and we will have dialogue about next steps.  Please make plans to attend! This will be a great opportunity to meet Dr. Marker and to engage in conversations about moving UWF forward.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Marker to the University of West Florida.

Best,

Judy Bense

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