The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors met Friday, April 27 to approve four final candidates for WVU Parkersburg’s next president. The Board of Governors also voted to bring all four finalists to campus for interviews on Tuesday, May 1, Thursday, May 3, Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10.
The four finalists include Chad Crumbaker, J.D. of Parkersburg, WV, Christopher Gilmer, Ph.D. of Vicksburg, Mississippi, C. Jeffery Knighton, Ph.D. of Marietta, Georgia, and Ted Lewis Ed.D. of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Dr. Crumbaker is the interim vice president for Academic Affairs at WVU Parkersburg. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of South Carolina in international studies and attended Capital University Law School earning his juris doctor in 2006. Crumbaker previously served as the Chair of the Business, Accounting and Public Service Division and as the coordinator of the Legal Studies Program. By working with business and community partners, he helped to develop the Advanced Manufacturing Program and the new Entrepreneurship Center on campus.
Dr. Gilmer is the executive director of Alcorn State University in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He has also served as vice president for Academic Affairs and as professor of English at Adams State University. He holds a an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from East Central Community College, a Master of Arts in English from Mississippi College, and a Bachelor of Science and doctorate in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Gilmer’s teaching and research interests focus on developmental education and bridging the liberal arts with cultural, contemporary, and workplace relevance.
Dr. Knighton is the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia. He also served as their head of the Department of Business and Public Service and as interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences before assuming his current position. Dr. Knighton holds a doctorate in educational psychology from Auburn University, a Master of Science in Social Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia Southwestern State University. His research interests include expertise in teaching, persuasion, personality, academic freedom, and leadership.
Dr. Lewis is currently vice president of Academic Affairs and chief academic officer at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Political Science from the University of North Texas, and a doctorate in education in educational administration with a specialization in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Lewis has taught for over 30 years at the college level and serves as president-elect of the National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges.
The Board will vote to recommend the new president for WVU Parkersburg at the Board of Governors meeting on Monday, May 14. Pursuant to statute, the Board will forward their recommendation to the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education for final approval.
For more information on the search process and timeline, visit www.wvup.edu/Presidential-Search.
