Thompson Plans Return to Faculty, University Searching for Provost

Texas A&M International University provost and vice president for academic affairs Dr. Jerry D. Thompson will return to the faculty and the University will begin a search for a new provost immediately.

Dr. Thompson said the decision to leave the post he began earlier this Spring was difficult, but based on how he could best contribute to the University. The announcement was shared with the University community Tuesday morning.

"After much thought, I simply realized that I consider my greatest interest to be teaching and research. In order to maximize that interest, I must return to the faculty. I greatly appreciate the enthusiastic support of president Keck and the entire administration, faculty, staff and students and look forward to my return to the classroom this Fall, " Dr. Thompson said in a statement to the University.

President Ray Keck said that he accepted Thompson's decision and appreciated his continued commitment to the University.

"I think that at the end of the day, we all want to feel that we are making the best contribution possible to our profession. Dr. Thompson is a remarkable professor of history and a much respected authority on the Civil War. He wants his legacy here to be that of a faculty member and I commend him for his candor and dedication," Dr. Keck said.

Keck said that Dr. John Kohl, dean of the College of Business Administration, will assume the position of interim provost.

"Dr. Kohl has recently completed the College of Business Administration's successful bid for accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and will take charge of the provost office as soon as possible. Dr. Antonio Rodriguez, associate dean of the College of Business Administration, will become interim dean," Keck explained.

Keck said that Joe Garcia, vice president for Finance and Administration, will head the search team for a new provost at the University.

"We are hopeful that we will be successful in attracting a qualified pool and want to move as soon as possible to identify candidates, interview them, and make a selection as soon as possible, " Keck said.

A member of the TAMIU faculty since 1987, Thompson holds his doctorate in history from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn. His M.A. in history was received from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, while his B.A. in history was earned at Western New Mexico State University in Silver City, N.M.

He is the recipient of the Regents Professor Service Award from The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and is the author of 18 books and more than 30 articles. He is contracted for two new book biographies on Samuel Peter Heintzelman and Juan Nepomuceno Cortina.

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