Samford University has named Dr. Joe O. Lewis, Associate Provost for Academic Administration at the school since 1992, to serve as Acting Provost.
Dr. Lewis will fill the role of chief academic officer held by Provost James S. Netherton, who will become President of Carson-Newman College in Tennessee Feb. 1.
"We are all reluctant to give up Jim and Patricia Netherton, but we are proud that Jim has been elected to the Presidency of Carson-Newman College," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts. "I have asked Dr. Joe O. Lewis to serve as Acting Provost until such time as a new provost is chosen so that business-as-usual in the Provost's Office will continue."
"Dr. Lewis served previously as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Academic Dean and Chairman of the Religion Department at Georgetown (Ky.) College. He has also taught at Cumberland (Ky.) College.
Lewis holds the B.A. degree from Southeast Missouri State University and the Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. An Old Testament scholar, he has written numerous articles for scholarly journals and denominational publications.