Mississippi University for Women has a new academic leader.
Dr. Thomas Richardson, 66, was named provost and vice president for academic affairs — positions which he has served in an interim capacity since 2014 — by a university-wide committee following a national candidate search. His appointment was confirmed Thursday by the Board of Trustees of the state Institutions of Higher Learning. His salary will be $177,000, according to Anika Perkins, MUW director of public affairs.
Richardson, originally of North Carolina, first joined MUW’s staff in 1988 as a member of the English faculty. He said he sees great things in store for the university as he continues in the role.
“It’s been a great place to work for 28 years, and I’m excited about the possibility for the future of our institution,” he said, adding he looks forward to the soon-to-be addition of an athletic program at the school, as well as the potential addition of new academic programs at the school, which he said MUW leadership is currently pursuing, as well as continued intensified efforts in developing the W’s relationships with community college. “I think we’re in an excellent position of strength to go forward.”
Richardson has served in a variety of roles since joining the MUW staff almost three decades ago: including, from 1990 to 1995, as vice president for academic affairs and, from 2006 to 2007, as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. He will continue to hold his titles of professor of English and Eudora Welty Chair.
From 1995 to 1998, he also served as head of the then-Division of Humanities and, from 2005 to 2014, as dean of the College of Art and Sciences.
MUW President Jim Borsig spoke to the institutional memory and knowledge of the university Richardson will carry with him in his now-full-time role as the senior academic administrator.
“He will continue to be a vital asset to our senior leadership team,” Borsig said in a press release.
Richardson is also a widely-published scholar, with research focusing on 19th century Scottish literature. He has been recognized with the Robert Bruce Award for Outstanding Service to Scottish Studies, a Glasgow Herald Fellowship and a St. Andrew’s Society of New York Fellowship. He served as a visiting fellow in the Department of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow from 1984 to 1985.
He holds an undergraduate degree in English from Davidson College and master’s and doctoral degrees from Duke University. He has pursued additional studies at Trinity College in Dublin and the University of Edinburgh.
Sam Luvisi is news editor and covers education for The Dispatch.
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