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WVU-Parkersburg president is stepping down

Special to The Times

PARKERSBURG — The president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg will be stepping down.

Fletcher Lamkin will resign from his current position at WVU-P to assume presidency of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., where he was president from 2000-2007, according to a press release issued Monday by WVU-P.

Lamkin will continue to serve as WVU-P’s president until an interim president is selected, a process expected to take approximately 30 days. His success as a leader and an academician were key factors in Westminster College’s decision, according to the press release.

“Cindy and I have truly enjoyed our time with WVU-P,” Lamkin said in the release. “We have been blessed by a talented faculty and staff, a supportive board, a wonderful student body and a community that has been welcoming to us.

“We are sorry to leave Parkersburg, but returning to Westminster is a calling we feel is the right choice for our future.”

Lamkin was named WVU-P president in 2015, following the departure of Marie Foster Gnage. During his time, he college implemented numerous programs to increase student success and approved the first employee pay raises in many years.

One accomplishment was the new Student Services Center which was completed in March 2016. The facility has been described by university officials as a “one-stop shop” for students to go to for a variety of administrative needs, financial aid, enrollment and other services to help students with issues they might be having. The idea was to consolidate all of their student services into one central location.

“This center is not only going to save students time, but it will send a strong message that we care about you and we want you to succeed,” Lamkin said at the center’s dedication. “This is not just a physical facility, it is a philosophy of caring about our students.”

Lamkin also instituted policies where students had to have their tuition paid before they could start classes. He also helped cut expenses at the college so they could weather state budget cuts implemented over the last couple of years.

Sam Winans, chairman of the WVU-P Board of Governors, said the board appreciates Lamkin’s accomplishments during his time at WVU-P .

“As a result of his leadership, the college has instituted many academic improvements and dramatically improved its appearance and functionality,” Winans said. “We are on strong financial footing, and our students enjoy the highest retention in the West Virginia CTC system.

“We are sorry to see Dr. Lamkin leave but fully understand his reasons and wish him well in this important endeavor.”

Winans believes Lamkin is leaving WVU-P in great shape.

“We will appoint a highly qualified interim president to lead the college for the next six months while we institute a search for the next president,” he said. “I am confident that the college will continue to prosper and serve the community thanks to the strong academic and fiscal foundation we have built.”

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