MARTIN, Tenn. – Dr. Frank S. Black Jr. has been named interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Interim Chancellor Nick Dunagan announced Thursday afternoon (Sept. 21).
Black will replace Dr. Christopher I. Chalokwu who asked to be reassigned to another position. Chalokwu will serve as vice chancellor for institutional research through June 30, 2001. His new assignment and Black-s new assignment are effective Oct. 1, 2000.
Black previously served, from 1988-1994, as vice chancellor for academic affairs. He resigned in August 1994 to accept a teaching position in the School of Education at UT Martin.
-At this time, clearly, the university is going through a critical period, and it is an honor to be asked to serve as the vice chancellor for academic affairs,- Black said. -It is an honor because so many members of the faculty and staff have been supportive of me, and they feel I can help. Like so many other faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, I believe Nick Dunagan is the right leadership at this time for UT Martin and that-s why I decided to accept this position.-
One of the reason-s Dunagan appointed Black to the interim position is because Black is respected by his peers.
“He is well respected by faculty, and all of the academic deans are excited about
working with him,- Dunagan said.
-I appreciate his willingness to serve the university again in this important position.”
For the past six years, Black has enjoyed his time teaching both undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
-I really enjoyed the opportunity to return to teaching,- Black said. -I had earlier experiences with the faculty and staff in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and they made me feel comfortable. It was an easy transition to make from the administrative role to the teaching position because of those experiences and both the undergraduate and graduate students.-
Before coming to UT Martin in 1988, Black served as vice president for academic affairs at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. He also was associate dean for academic affairs at the University of South Florida in 1984-85 and the assistant dean in the College of Human Development and Learning at Murray State University from 1978-84.
The vice chancellor for academic affairs serves as the chief academic officer of the university and is responsible for leadership of the faculty in the areas of instruction, curriculum development and scholarly achievement; short and long-range academic planning and for general administration of the academic budget.
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