Doug Whitlock named A-State Interim Chancellor

Doug Whitlock named A-State Interim Chancellor

Welch makes appointment to replace Hudson

news@astate.edu JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State University System President Charles L. Welch today named Dr. Doug Whitlock, President Emeritus of Eastern Kentucky University, to serve as interim chancellor of Arkansas State University effective Sept.

12.

Whitlock, 73, has 45 years of higher education experience in administrative and teaching roles at Eastern Kentucky in Richmond and retired in 2013 after serving six years as president. After initially retiring from the university, he was asked to return and serve as interim president in 2007 and later was named to the position permanently.

“Doug has all the experience and character traits that I was hoping to find when I began this search,” Welch said. “His academic and administrative background comes from an institution very comparable to Arkansas State. I spoke to faculty, staff and Regents at Eastern Kentucky who praised his work in shared governance, his commitment to collaboration and consensus building, and described him as very approachable.”

Eastern Kentucky, with an enrollment of approximately 16,500 students and an annual operating budget of over $350 million, expanded doctoral programs, online programs, and international studies during Whitlock’s tenure. Welch said EKU and A-State have many similarities that will enable Whitlock to address both growth opportunities and challenges.

“By all accounts, he brought a sense of calmness to the Eastern Kentucky campus during a challenging time in its history, and I’m confident he can do the same at AState,” Welch added.

“When I heard comments like ‘you won’t find anyone better’ and ‘most adored president we have ever had’ from both faculty and administrators at a major public university, I knew Doug would be an ideal choice. After reading the comments of faculty member Malcolm Frisbee upon Doug’s retirement, I really knew he was the right person for the job.”

From University Media