New provost named

Sarah Witte named EOU provost

News contacts:
Tim Seydel | Vice President, University Advancement
541-962-3740 or tseydel@eou.edu
Laura Hancock | Communications Coordinator, University Advancement
541-962-3585 or lhancock@eou.edu 

LA GRANDE, Ore. April 27, 2016 – Sarah Witte, a longtime professor and administrator at Eastern Oregon University, has been selected for the school’s top academic post.

Tom Insko, EOU president, made the announcement today following a national search that included Witte and two other finalists for the position of provost and senior vice president who were interviewed on campus earlier this month.

Witte has been serving as EOU’s interim provost since June 2014 when she stepped in following the departure of Steve Adkison. Adkison accepted a similar position at Henderson State University.

Witte served twice as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and as vice provost of Academic Affairs prior to being named interim provost. She joined EOU as an instructor in 1990, was promoted to assistant professor in 1993 and then to associate professor in 1995. She is also the first female provost at the university.

“With nearly 26 years of experience at EOU, Sarah offers a depth of knowledge and a perspective that will prove invaluable as we work to reposition our university to grow and prosper in the coming years,” Insko said. “On numerous occasions she has been placed in leadership positions during difficult times for the university and she has always accepted the challenge.”

“I appreciate her work ethic, passion for EOU and her dedication to serving students,” Insko added. “She will work collaboratively with faculty to create an exciting future of academic excellence and curricular responsiveness.”

As provost, Witte is the university’s chief academic officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of academic and curricular programs, and leading strategic planning and implementation efforts related to campus and online enrollment, financial management and student life.

“I am thrilled to join the leadership team at EOU,” Witte said. “My role as interim provost was mainly focused on sustainability planning, so I am looking forward to working with faculty, staff and academic leadership to build on the institution’s central educational mission and to create dynamic academic futures for our students.”

Witte holds a bachelor of arts in English from Creighton University, a master of arts in English from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa.