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April 21, 2006
Presbyterian College has brought to a successful close its search for a provost, announcing today that Dr. Robert Holyer will fill the college's senior academic position.
Holyer, who currently serves as dean of the college and vice president for academic affairs at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., will assume his new duties on July 1.
"Rob Holyer brings to Presbyterian College a breadth of experience as a teacher, a scholar, and an academic administrator. He is nationally recognized for his leadership in developing general education programs, designing faculty development programs, and conceptualizing how a liberal arts education can best prepare leaders for our global society," Presbyterian College president Dr. John Griffith said. "As one of a handful of academic leaders known for inspired leadership and advocacy on behalf of the curriculum and the faculty, he is ideally suited for the important role he undertakes for us during a time of significant growth. I am very much looking forward to working with Rob in advancing the mission of PC as a church-related, liberal arts college of national consequence."
In his new role, Holyer will be responsible for managing and enhancing the college's academic program, including implementing a new general education curriculum and completing reaccredidation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He will report to Griffith as a member of the president's cabinet and will serve as the ranking official of the college after the president.
He replaces Dr. J. David Gillespie, who retired last June as Presbyterian College's vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Darrell B. Warner has since served as interim provost.
"One of the things that attracted me was PC's desire to be one of the leading private liberal arts colleges in the Southeast," Holyer said. "I knew I wanted to be at a college that has a solid history, but also one that had a design to move forward. That certainly describes PC."
Holyer's hiring concludes the college's six-month national search for a provost. Holyer, one of four finalists for the position, impressed the search committee and campus community with his scholarship and leadership skills.
"The members of the search committee were immediately struck by the depth and quality of Dr. Holyer's experience as an academic leader," said Dr. Lynne Simpson, associate professor of English and chair of the search committee, which was comprised of faculty, students, administrators, a representative of the academic affairs committee, and a member of the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees.
"He continues to publish, demonstrating that he fully embraces the life of the mind. Moreover, he understands and values the unique relationship Presbyterian College enjoys with the Presbyterian Church, USA. His keen intelligence, poise, and eloquence will make him an ideal advocate for all members of our community: faculty, administrators, and most importantly, students. We feel very blessed to have found him."
A native of South Dakota, Holyer earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Bethel College (Minn), a B.D. from Yale Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.
He has served as dean of the college and vice president for academic affairs at Randolph-Macon since 1999, and was acting president at the college in 2004.
Holyer has taught at the University of Virginia, Converse College, and Lyon College, where he was the first W. Lewis McColgan Professor of Religion and later the vice president for academic services and dean of the faculty. He also directed the Honors International Studies Program at Lyon.
His area of specialization is the philosophy of religion. His scholarship has focused on issues of religious epistemology and the work of Pascal, Newman, and C.S. Lewis. Most recently, he has been working on issues of punishment and forgiveness. He has also written on higher education.
He and his wife, Karen, have four grown children and one grandchild.
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