The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) has approved Dr. R. Charles Byers to serve as interim president of West Virginia State University (WVSU) effective May 16, 2020.
Byers’ appointment was approved by HEPC today. The WVSU Board of Governors voted unanimously earlier this week to recommend Byers as interim president.
With his appointment, Byers becomes the first alumnus of WVSU selected to lead the institution in either an interim or permanent capacity.
“West Virginia State University is an integral part of the fabric of the state and region and has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of alumni, including my own,” said Byers, who has served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs for WVSU since July 2019. “I look forward to continuing to build on the University’s rich history and tradition of providing access and opportunity for all those who choose to pursue a college education.”
Byers is a 1968 graduate of WVSU with a bachelor’s degree in art education. He later earned a master’s degree from The Ohio State University while working as a commercial artist and art teacher in Columbus, Ohio. Later, Byers earned a doctorate degree from Kent State University in higher education administration.
Byers joined the WVSU faculty in 1972 and spent the next 17 years as an associate professor of teacher education. He served for 12 years as the Vice President for Planning and Advancement, Title III Director and Executive Director for the WVSU Research and Development Corporation before being named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He had retired as Provost of the University in 2014 after 41 years of service at WVSU.
In 2015, Byers, an accomplished painter and sketch artist, published “A Place We Love So Dear: A Collection of Campus Drawings,” featuring pen and ink drawings of every building on the WVSU campus.
Byers is married to the former Edithe Rosebourgh of Charleston, a retired public school educator. They are the parents of three adult children, and five grandchildren.
A national search is underway to replace current WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins who is leaving to become president of Coppin State University.
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