Southern Arkansas University has appointed Dr. Ben Johnson to serve as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the 2015-16 academic year.
SAU President Dr. David Rankin made the announcement to campus on Thursday, March 12.
“Dr. Johnson is the Ragsdale Professor of Arkansas Studies and the current SAU Honor Professor,” said Rankin in an email to SAU employees. “As a well-recognized historian, author and teacher, and former Dean of the College of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Johnson will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position.”
The appointment will be effective August 1, 2015, and will continue until June 30, 2016. A national search will commence in the fall, with a beginning date of July 1, 2016.
After 13 years of leading SAU as President and more than 45 years of service to the University, Rankin is retiring effective June 30, 2015. On July 1, Dr. Trey Berry will transition to the position of SAU President from his current role as Provost and VPAA.
Johnson earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Arkansas, and has taught in higher education for more than 34 years. He served as Dean of the College of Liberal and Performing Arts at SAU from 2007 to 2011 and was promoted to professor of history in 2010. In 2013, he was selected to receive the state’s first endowed professorship for Arkansas studies. In addition to the book he authored in 2000, he has written two additional books on Arkansas history. He is currently the vice-chair of the State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and has served as vice president of the Arkansas Historical Association. He is also on the board of editors of theArkansas Historic Quarterly. He and his wife, Sherrel Johnson, reside in El Dorado, Ark.
