Shepherd University Names New President 

The Shepherd University Board of Governors announced Cameron Wesson as the university’s 17th president Thursday.

He previously served as provost and dean of the faculty at Franklin & Marshall College before joining La Salle University in 2023 as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

An archaeologist by training, Wesson has held faculty and administrative positions at several institutions including the University of Oklahoma, the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Vermont and Lehigh University over his more than 30 year career in higher education. 

“I am honored to serve as the 17th president of Shepherd University,” Wesson said in a press release. “I look forward to working with the dedicated faculty and staff as we prepare our remarkable students with the skills and education they’ve come to expect from the university. I am excited to collaborate with the entire Shepherd community to continue enhancing our academic rigor and the student experience as we prepare for the future of higher education.”

Wesson will begin his new role on July 1 following the departure of current president Mary Hendrix, who has served as Shepherd’s president since 2016. Hendrix was the first graduate of Shepherd University, formerly Shepherd College, to lead the institution in its history.

Shepherd is the latest in a string of West Virginia institutions of higher education to hire a new president in recent years. 

• Mark Manchin began his tenure as Glenville State University’s president in 2020.
• Marshall University named Brad Smith as president in 2021, and he stepped into the role in 2022.
• West Virginia State University inaugurated Ericke Cage as their president in 2023.
• West Liberty University hired Timothy Borchers in 2023 after the controversial departure of W. Franklin Evans. 
• Fairmont State University swore in Mike Davis as president in 2024.
• Wheeling University named Dianna Vargo as president in 2024 after the suspension and departure of Ginny Favede.
• Darrin Martin was named as the new president of Bluefield State University in 2024 before his inauguration in 2025.
• West Virginia University named Michael Benson as their latest president in 2024 before starting in the position last July.