LRU Announces Hiring of Interim Provost

HICKORY, NC – Lenoir-Rhyne University recently welcomed Leslie Lambert, Ph. D., as its interim provost. She joined the staff in January after the resignation of Dr. Larry Hall, Ph.D., who served as provost since 2008.

Lambert retired in 2013 as provost and executive vice president at Ferrum College in Virginia, where she served for nine years. Prior to her position at Ferrum, she held several job titles at Roanoke College including interim academic dean. She holds a PhD in curriculum theory and exercise science, and an M.A. degree in curriculum theory and exercise physiology from the University of Georgia. Lambert also served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Council on Colleages (SACSCOC) on off-site and on-site committees from 2012 to 2016. She was selected to participate in Academic Leadership for the 21st Century, the American Conference of Academic Dean’s Annual Meeting program in 2009, and received a Citation of Leadership from the Virginia State Department of Education for work with Standards of Learning in 2001. She has provided advisory and consultancy work for the University of Limerick, in Limerick, Ireland, and for Lutheran College Washington Semester, along with various other organizations and agencies.

“I am honored President Whitt has entrusted me with the duties and responsibilities of the office of the provost,” Lambert said. “I look forward to working hand in hand with all members of the LR community to assure a positive and effective transition as the University conducts a search for its new provost.”

LRU President Fred Whitt stated the University is beginning the process of moving a national search forward for a new provost. “Finding the right person for this position is critically important as we advance the strategic initiatives and goals for Lenoir-Rhyne. We will commence a national search with the goal of our successful candidate beginning on or before August 1, 2018,” Whitt said. “We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Lambert at Lenoir-Rhyne as the University’s interim provost during this time. She has outstanding credentials and experience in higher education leadership.”