Eastern Michigan University has named Jack Kay as its
new provost and executive vice president, pending approval
by the Board of Regents.
"We had a great pool of candidates and outstanding finalists," said
Susan Martin, president of EMU. "Dr. Kay will bring an
intellectual focus with a strong administrative track record
of igniting enrollment, internationalization, interdisciplinary
work and guidance for new program development and program
evaluation. I know he will work tirelessly to enhance our
academic reputation and strong commitment to community
engagement."
 |
Kay |
"I feel this is an institution of opportunity. It
has a great faculty and is destined for a critical role
in revitalizing Michigan's economy over the next few years," said
Kay. "I worked closely with President Martin when
she was at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. We
share a commitment to academic quality, diversity, and
accessible and affordable education for Michigan's citizens
which is critical to the future of Michigan."
Kay, of Grand Blanc, said he understood Eastern places
a strong emphasis on teaching and that teaching is rewarded.
At the same time, he said he sees a "total linkage" between
research and teaching. He also points to strong parallels
between the university and surrounding community, specifically
in terms of community engagement and Eastern Michigan playing
a strong role in the economy of southeastern Michigan.
"We live in an age of tremendous change and uncertainty. Universities
like Eastern Michigan University that partner with the
community will assure a pool of talent and ideas that will
enable our region to thrive," Kay said.
From September 2005 to February 2007, Kay served as provost
and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University
of Michigan-Flint. He served as interim chancellor at U-M
Flint from January 2007 to August 2008, and then returning
as provost. He also served as acting vice chancellor
for Institutional Advancement from October 2008 to the
present. He is a professor of communication at the
University of Michigan-Flint. His expertise and scholarship
are in the areas of rhetoric, political communication and
hate crimes.
Accomplishments at the University of Michigan-Flint include
substantial undergraduate and graduate enrollment growth,
general education reform, establishment of Genesee Early
College High School, implementation of academic program
review, campus internationalization and successful completion
of a capital campaign.
Kay, 58, was a professor of communication at Wayne State
University from 1990-2005 and an associate professor of
speech communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
from 1985-1990.
Kay received his Ph.D. in communication from Wayne State
University in 1979. He received his master's degree from
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1975 and an
undergraduate degree from Wayne State in speech and political
science in 1974.
He is married to Ruth Kay and has one daughter.
He will be paid a base salary of $252,000 and a one-time
signing bonus of $20,000. He assumes his duties Aug. 1,
2009.
Associate Provost Robert Neely has been appointed to serve
as interim provost through July 31, 2009.
