A two-year search for a new provost at Utah State University ended Wednesday with the selection of G. Jay Gogue, vice provost at Clemson University in South Carolina.
USU President George Emert announced the appointment following a closed teleconference of the school's Board of Trustees, saying, "Dr. Gogue comes to Utah State with outstanding credentials as both a university administrator and teacher."Gogue announced the decision to his own staff and co-workers at Clemson Wednesday morning, saying he would begin his new duties in Utah July 1.
USU's second-highest academic post, which pays $115,000, has been vacant ever since Karen Morse resigned in May 1993 to become president of Western Washington University. Bruce Bishop, dean of the College of Engineering, has been acting provost.
A search for a replacement began in mid-1993 and continued through last year, with a USU committee screening more than 75 candidates and interviewing six finalists before selecting Gogue.
"The final decision was made very difficult because of the exceptional qualifications of several semifinalists," said Emert, explaining those finalists included three of USU's top administrators and faculty as well as leading academicians nationwide.
In addition to his duties as vice provost at Clemson, Gogue serves as vice president for research and vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Like USU, Clemson is a land grant university that administers the state's extension services.
The 47-year-old Gogue has a doctorate in horticulture from Michigan State University and bachelor's and master's in horticulture from Auburn University.
Before joining Clemson, he worked as a research scientist for the National Park Service, rising to the rank of chief scientist from 1979 to 1986. He was also head of the Park Service Division of Interpretation, Park Protection and Natural Resources Management.
In 1986, he became Clemson's associate director of the Office of Research while also serving as a tenured professor in the College of Forest and Recreation Resources. He also served as interim dean of the graduate school and acting dean of the College of Forest and Recreation Resources.
Gogue, an Army veteran, has been active in church and civic activities. He and his wife, Susan, have three children.
In a statement issued from his Clemson office, Gogue said, "We're extremely excited about this opportunity and look forward to moving to Logan this summer. During my recent visit to campus, I was most impressed with the people I met as well as the academic quality of Utah State University."