By Stephanie Smithstaff Writer
Provost Carol Z. Garrison was named acting president for U of L during the search for a successor to President John Shumaker in a University Board of Trustees meeting on March 11, 2002.
Also announced at the meeting was the appointment and charge of a presidential search committee. The board, composed of fifteen members, will be co-chaired by trustee vice chair Junior Bridgeman and trustee board treasurer J. Chester Porter.
The date of Garrison’s appointment will be announced after discussions with Shumaker. According to trustee Chair Jessica Loving, the board does not yet have a list of potential successors. She also said the U of L board will begin the search process when it officially meets, but there is no timetable yet for replacing Shumaker.
Shumaker anticipates that Garrison will continue the university’s progress.
“U of L will not miss a beat under her leadership,” he said. “I think people will enjoy working with her as acting president, and I have no doubt that she will be a tremendous success.”
“Carol has not only the unanimous support from the board, but she also was highly recommended by President Shumaker and representatives of the faculty and staff senate, as well as the student body president,” said Board Chair Jessica Loving. “We know that she will continue her exemplary service to the university and will represent U of L extremely well.”
Garrison’s excellent history in leadership and administration made her a primary candidate for this position. She has served as the university’s chief academic and operating officer since 1997 and oversees all the university’s vice presidents and deans and their units.
After earning her doctor of philosophy degree in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, she began her faculty career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, followed by positions at the University of North-Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Garrison was named professor and chair of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina and was later named associate provost and dean of the graduate school.
During the past 17 years, Garrison has received more than $5.9 million in federal research funding.
She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Omega, Sigma Xi, and was honored twice as the Carolina Distinguished Professor.
Garrison said, “My goal as acting president will be to continue U of L’s momentum building its undergraduate and graduate programs, forwarding its research initiatives, and supporting our many positive external relationships with our community.”
