Governor Earl Ray Tomblin joined Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill this morning to administer the oath of office to Marshall University’s new President, Jerome Gilbert.
The ceremony was held on Marshall University’s campus Thursday. Gilbert was named the 37th President of Marshall last October.
He took over after then-president Stephen Kopp died suddenly in December 2014. Gilbert addressed this in his speech.
“I follow a very difficult period that the university went through with the unexpected loss of its former president, Steve Kopp,” Gilbert said, “I can tell you that I am strongly committed to carrying on the tradition of striving for excellence that Dr. Kopp established in his tenure.”
Gary White served as the interim president following Kopp’s passing and before Gilbert’s selection.
Gilbert was previously the provost and executive vice president of Mississippi State University.