Provost an important role for university

Southeast Missouri State University announced Nov. 26 its decision on who will be the next provost at the university.

Dr. Bill Eddleman, a 19-year university faculty member, was chosen to succeed Dr. Ron Rosati. Dr. Gerald McDougall served as interim provost.

The university explains the provost's position this way on its website: "The Provost is the chief academic officer of the University, responsible for oversight and planning for all academic programs and academic support functions of the University."

The provost is an important position at Southeast, one of a handful of administrative employees who report directly to the university president.

This person leads the university's academic efforts, helping make Southeast a consistently recognized higher education institution.

Eddleman has an education background in fisheries, wildlife and wildlife ecology. In addition to his teaching career at the university, he has served as vice provost and dean of the School of Graduate studies.

He is the third generation in his family to be connected with Southeast.

"I really love this place," Eddleman said in a news release. "To come back here where my grandfather and aunt worked and to do something for the good of the students, region and the university is really the best thing."

Eddleman starts his new position Jan 1. We wish him the best as he takes on this role.