Davis accepts provost offer

President Mark A. Murray said today that Dr. Gayle Davis has accepted his offer to become Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Grand Valley State University. Dr. Davis will begin her duties on July 1. President Murray made the announcement at this morning's meeting of the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees.

'I am very pleased that Gayle Davis will be joining Grand Valley,' Murray said. 'I look forward to a partnership that will serve the university for many years to come. Her skills, scholarship, and experience in university leadership are impressive. I have every confidence that this is the right choice for our university.'

Dr. Davis said she accepted President Murray's offer with enthusiasm.

'During my visit to Grand Valley earlier this week, I had the opportunity to meet again with the university's senior staff and confirm my decision to accept the provost position,' Dr. Davis said. 'Grand Valley is poised to become an even better university, and I am eager to begin work with our excellent faculty and staff to help mold that future. On a personal note, I want to say that I appreciate the warm welcome I have already begun to receive via private contacts and comments made in the media -- I am certainly honored and happy to join you.'

Dr. Davis is associate vice president for academic affairs at Wichita State University, Kansas. She holds a bachelor's degree in French from Muskingum College, a master's degree in art history and a doctorate degree in American studies, both from Michigan State University.