The Marshall University Board of Governors today named Gary G. White interim president of the university, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
The board selected White with a unanimous 14-0 vote during an emergency meeting this afternoon on the Huntington campus.
White’s appointment is pending approval by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The commission is expected to meet tomorrow to consider the appointment.
“I’m gratified and humbled the board of governors has asked me to serve in this important interim role,” said White. “I look forward to working with members of the board, the faculty and the staff to keep our university moving ahead and focused on students.”
White will serve for the duration of the search process for a permanent president, which is expected to take approximately six to nine months. His salary will be $400,000. He is not a candidate for the permanent position.
Chairman of the Board of Governors Michael G. Sellards said, “Gary is an outstanding choice to be the interim president. He reflects the mission and values of Marshall University and has a tremendous background in academic affairs, having served as chairman of this board in the past and as a member of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The board is appreciative he has agreed to lead the university during this interim period.”
White replaces Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, who died suddenly Dec. 17. Kopp served nearly 10 years at Marshall’s helm.
A graduate of Marshall, White is a former member and past chairman of the Marshall University Board of Governors, former member and vice president of the West Virginia Board of Education, and former member of the University of Pikeville Board of Trustees.
He is on the boards of directors of United Bankshares Inc., ARC Logistics Partners LP, Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Marshall University Foundation, the West Virginia Coal Association and the Larry Joe Harless Community Center Foundation Inc. He also serves on the board of advisors of West Virginia Media Holdings LLC.
White has been executive vice president of Blackhawk Mining LLC since October. He previously served as president and chief operating officer of International Resource Partners LP, a subsidiary of James River Coal Company. He also has served as president and chief executive officer of International Industries Inc., president and chief executive officer of the West Virginia Coal Association, manager of underground mining at Amherst Coal Company and corporate training coordinator at Island Creek Coal Company.
He is a former member of the Community Trust Bancorp Inc. Board of Directors and the RAG American Coal Inc. Board of Directors. He served as director of transition for Governor Cecil Underwood.
White received the 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award from the West Virginia Education Alliance, the 2004 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Marshall University Alumni Association, the City of Hope “Spirit of Life Award” and in 2003 was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame at Marshall. In 2006 and again in 2008, he was named one of the “Fifty Most Influential Individuals in West Virginia” by West Virginia Executive magazine.
To accept the appointment as interim president, White has resigned from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, effective upon his confirmation by the commission. He has been a member of the commission since being appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in August 2013.
