Huntington Times

Marshall University has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert “R.B.” Bookwalter as interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, with the appointment taking effect on July 1. This decision comes as Dr. Avinandan “Avi” Mukherjee departs to become the executive vice president and provost at Georgia Southern University on the same date.

Dr. Bookwalter has been part of the Marshall University staff since 1987, working in the Department of Communication Studies. His roles have included coordinator of CMM 103 for 15 years and department chair from 2008 to 2010. His academic interests encompass conflict management, interpersonal communication, group processes and leadership, and language and discourse analysis.

In June 2010, he became interim dean of the College of Education, moved to interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 2013, and was named the dean in 2014. During his tenure, he has emphasized academic program development and a student-centered approach.

Apart from his everyday responsibilities, Dr. Bookwalter is also spearheading a campus-wide initiative to update the university’s General Education program. He continues as the sponsor of the John Marshall Fellows Program, which focuses on developing leadership among high-achieving campus community members.

“Dr. Bookwalter’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to academic excellence make him the ideal choice to guide our academic affairs during this transitional period,” President Smith stated. “His deep understanding of our university’s mission and his dedication to our students and faculty will ensure continuity and progress.”

Dr. Bookwalter holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from Fresno State University, a Master's in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas.

“I am honored to serve as interim provost and look forward to working collaboratively with our dedicated faculty, staff and students to continue advancing Marshall University’s mission of academic excellence and student success,” Dr. Bookwalter expressed.

The search for a new provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs is scheduled to begin later this month, with finalists visiting the campus by late September. The intention is for the new provost to start in the Spring 2026 semester.