HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — During his final Board of Governors meeting as Marshall University president, Dr. Jerome Gilbert reiterated how serving the Marshall community has been the ‘pinnacle of his career.’
During the president’s report portion of the Thursday meeting, Gilbert noted his six years at Marshall by stating he believes he is leaving the institution in a better place than he found it and saying he has no regrets in his decision making. He plans to retire from full-time higher education.
“Maybe some of my decisions should have gone the other way, looking back with the hindsight of 20-20. But I am comfortable that in every case, I did at the time what I thought was in the best interest in Marshall University without thoughts of personal gain or personal advantage,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert thanked Marshall students, staff, faculty and both the current and former members of the Board of Governors (BoG) for the opportunity to serve as Marshall’s 37th president, saying “this was the pinnacle of my career, a true honor and a privilege.”
Gilbert, who will be succeeded by Brad Smith on January 1, said in his 39 years in higher education the goal has always been student success and he believes that has been hit at Marshall.
“I do believe student success has improved, the research enterprise has expanded, new programs have been added. We have added or plan to add new facilities in pharmacy, aviation and business,” he said.
“Diversity and inclusion were championed, national stature of the university has improved. During my time, things have gotten better. I credit a lot to the people here.”
Gilbert said after he leaves the university on January 1, he will be working part-time as an independent contractor to provide guidance and advice to Smith throughout the year. Smith, the former CEO of Intuit and Marshall graduate, enters the position with no experience in higher education but a rich background in leadership.
Increasing enrollment and increasing the salary of employees were two goals that Gilbert said he told Smith should tackle first. Gilbert remains confident in Smith, saying Thursday that Smith “has potential to take us to greater heights.”
Additional Meeting Notes:
– Gilbert said he is working to form a Pedestrian Safety Board at Marshall following the death of a student in a pedestrian accident. Gilbert said the board, which will be chaired by state Senator Bob Plymale (D-Wayne), will work with city and state-level leaders in transportation to make the campus safer.
Maribeth Cox, 22 and weeks from graduating, was hit and killed by a vehicle on the crosswalk of Third Avenue and 18th Street on Nov. 4. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Any time we lose a student, it is a horrible thing. I spoke with the parents of the student the night of the accident,” Gilbert said.
“We are granting that individual a posthumous degree this Saturday.”
– There was an update on the search for a permanent Provost at Marshall. Dr. Avinandan Mukherjee currently serves as Interim Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost.
Officials on the search stated that the search profile goes public this week and will be shared across platforms and outlets. There will then be an eight-week period where the search will be open for candidates to submit resumes, recommendations and curricular vitae.
February 22 is the date stated Thursday where a list of semifinalists will come out. Interviews will take place off-campus in early March before a narrowed-down list of semifinals come for on-campus visits in late March.