New Provost Named

The dean of the College of Health and Human Development at The Pennsylvania State University has been named provost at Utah State University.

 

Raymond Thomas Coward, 59, accepted the offer to serve as the university's provost and executive vice president, USU President Stan Albrecht announced today. In this position, he is second in command and acts for the president in his absence.

 

"Utah State University is absolutely delighted that Dr. Raymond Coward has agreed to join us," Albrecht said. "Ray brings a wonderful combination of experience and accomplishment that will be particularly helpful as our institution deals with the opportunities ahead."

 

Albrecht said faculty, staff and students are eager to welcome Coward as a new member of the administrative team. "We look forward to the mix of energy, leadership, vision and enthusiasm he will bring from Penn State to USU."

 

As provost, Coward will be the chief academic officer at Utah State - a university he describes as rich in teaching tradition and proud of its public responsibilities as the state's only land grant institution.

 

"Utah State is a place that is on the move," he said. "I am impressed by the quality of faculty who are attracted to USU, the passionate and hard-working students who attend, and the expanding portfolio of sponsored research that is being conducted at USU."

 

The search for a new provost began in February when Albrecht stepped down from the position to become the university's 15th president. Noelle Cockett, dean of the College of Agriculture, has served as interim provost during this time. She returns to her post as dean Jan. 2, when Coward assumes his new responsibilities.

 

Coward has distinguished himself as an educator and administrator in numerous capacities.

 

He began his career as an 8th grade biology teacher in Princeton, N.J. He has been professor and dean of the School of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire; has served as director of the Institute for Gerontology at the University of Florida and as a faculty member in the university's College of Medicine; as professor of social work and director of the social work program at the University of Vermont; and as a faculty member and director of research for the Child Development Laboratories at Purdue University.

 

While at Penn State, Coward created several new undergraduate programs, including one to develop the leadership skills of women. He also enlarged and improved the honors program in his college and increased enrollment of multicultural students by nearly 39 percent. During his five-year tenure, philanthropic giving at his college jumped by 21 percent, accounting for $28.7 million in gifts received.

 

He received his bachelor's and master's from the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College); a second master's degree in social work from McGill University, and his doctorate in child development and family studies from Purdue University.

 

Coward said there is excitement and optimism in the air at Utah State under Albrecht's direction. He praised Albrecht as a man of great vision and integrity.

 

"Utah State is an outstanding university that is poised for even greater success," he said. "It is my hope that I can utilize my skills and talents to contribute to the continued growth and development of the institution."

 

He said he thrives working in an environment with others who are committed to teaching, learning, research and service.

 

"I am inspired each day by our students who are transforming their dreams into reality; by my faculty colleagues who are engaged in cutting-edge scholarship; and by alumni who are using their education to improve the world," he said. "It is because of them that I get up early and stay up late."

 

When he is not working, he said, his thoughts and time are devoted to his family.

 

"My wife of 38 years, Andrea, is my dearest friend and closest companion," he said. "She will be an active participant in Utah State activities and will become involved in the Logan community."

 

They are the parents of a son and a daughter who are continuing their educations – one in Florida and the other in Georgia.

 

"As time permits, we will spend time with them and look forward to sharing with them the remarkable environment of northern Utah," he said.

 

Coward's complete 36-page vitae is available at the provost Web site.  

 

Contact: Raymond Coward, 814-865-1420; RTCoward@psu.edu

Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435-797-1358; john.devilbiss@usu.edu