Dr. Childs Leaves Provost’s Office to Return to Teaching; Associate Provost Rhodes to Leave for American University in Armenia

Dr. William Childs, who was named Frostburg State University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs in spring 2014, has left the Provost’s Office and is returning to teach in the College of Education. Childs was named interim provost in summer 2013 before becoming FSU’s permanent provost.

Until an interim provost is selected, Dr. John Bowman will serve as the acting provost.

Three candidates are being considered for interim provost: Dr. Sydney Duncan, Chair of the English Department; Dr. Robert Kauffman, a Professor of Recreation and Parks Management; and Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, Dean of the College of Business.

In addition to Dr. Childs leaving the Provost’s Office, Associate Provost Randall Rhodes, who co-chaired FSU’s Middle States Accreditation committee, will soon be leaving to become provost at the American University of Armenia.

“Randall has ably served in many leadership roles at FSU,” wrote Dr. Bowman in an email to faculty and staff,  “including the chair of the Visual Arts Department, Chair of the Faculty, co-chair of the Woman’s Studies steering committee, director of the Liberal Studies major, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Associate Provost. In addition, he has been a member of many University groups and committees over the years, notably the Academic Affairs Committee, UUCR, the 2011 FSU Middle States PRR steering committee, and co-chair of our present Middle States self-study steering committee.”

“Randall is one of Frostburg State University’s treasures and he, along with his good humor and quick wit, will be greatly missed by all of us. Please join me in wishing Randall the very best in his travels and in his new and exciting academic position,” Bowman wrote.

Dr. Jay Hegeman, who was also an associate provost, is now the interim vice president for student affairs.

“I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Dr. Childs for all he has done during the past two years that he has served as our Provost,” said Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, who recently left FSU to become Wells College’s next president. Gibralter credited Childs with developing the Ed. D Program in Educational Leadership, helping to develop academic programs, and supporting the Doctorate in Business Administration, a program that will seek approval next year, along with the Doctorate in Nursing.

“I want to also mention that Dr. Childs has given his heart to Frostburg State and I am enormously grateful for all that he has done,” said Gibralter. “He cares deeply about this university, it’s mission and it’s people and he has done an exceptional job in a very difficult role. I hope you will join me in wishing him the very best as he returns to teaching and mentoring students—a role that he has always deeply loved.”