Familiar Faces, New Places

Baylor University President John M. Lilley has appointed J. Randall O'Brien as executive vice president and provost, Karla Leeper as chief of staff, Randy Lofgren as interim vice president for development, Douglas E. Rogers as interim dean of the School of Education, Dub Oliver as vice president for student life, Paul H. Carr as interim vice president for marketing and communications and Lois E. Myers as interim director of the Institute for Oral History.
O'Brien has served as interim vice president for academic affairs and provost since June 1, 2005. 
O'Brien joined the Baylor religion faculty in 1991, where before being appointed interim provost last year, he served as professor and chair of the religion department. He earned degrees from Mississippi College, Yale Divinity School and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. O'Brien has served as acting dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary, executive assistant to former President Robert B. Sloan Jr. and as visiting professor in the Baylor Law School. 
In May, O'Brien announced the appointment of Naymond Keathley, professor and interim chair of the religion department, as senior vice provost. Keathley succeeds Larry Lyon, professor and dean of the Graduate School, who became vice provost for institutional effectiveness, a newly created position. Lyon remains dean of the Graduate School.
Keathley, BA '62, earned his bachelor of divinity degree and doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the faculty at Palm Beach Atlantic College and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He has taught at Baylor since 1981.
Leeper, who was associate professor and acting chair of the department of communication studies, succeeds Michael D. Morrison, who is returning to teaching duties at Baylor Law School.
Leeper earned bachelor's degrees in communication studies and political science at the University of Iowa in 1985. She received a master's degree and a doctorate in rhetoric and argumentation from the University of Kansas in 1993. 
Lofgren, BME '62, MM '70, EdD '74, joined the Baylor development staff in 1988 as regional director for Dallas County. Lofgren came to Baylor in 1996 and held several positions in University development before being appointed associate vice president. After a brief tenure as executive director of the Baylor Alumni Association, he assumed leadership of The Baylor Network. Lofgren succeeds Richard C. Scott, who stepped aside from his administrative role and will retire Dec. 31. 
Scott, BBA '56, MBA '65, holds a doctorate in business administration from Indiana University. Scott will be designated as vice president, dean and professor emeritus when he retires.
Rogers, BSE '78 (magna cum laude), who was associate professor of curriculum and instruction and associate dean for student and information services, succeeds Deborah L. Johnston, associate professor of health, human performance and recreation, who has served as interim dean since August 2005.
Rogers received a master's degree in library/information science in 1982 and his doctorate of education in 1987, both from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-Commerce. 
In addition to his appointment, Rogers named two interim associate deans. Tony Talbert, MA '91, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, now serves as interim associate dean for student and information services -- Rogers' former position. Rodney Bowden, associate professor of health, human performance and recreation, now serves as interim associate dean for academic affairs and faculty development, succeeding Terrill Saxon, BA '88, MSEd '90, who returned to his position as chair of the department of educational psychology.
Oliver had been serving as interim vice president since July 1, 2005, when he succeeded Eileen Hulme, who took a faculty position last summer with Azusa Pacific University. As vice president, Oliver will provide leadership for the student life division.
Oliver, BSE '87, earned a master's degree in educational psychology in 1991 and his doctorate in educational administration in 2001, both from Texas A&M University. 
Oliver also serves as a visiting professor in the Hankamer School of Business, where he teaches organizational leadership and change. He also is co-teaching a capstone course on special problems in student services administration as an adjunct professor in the School of Education. 
Carr, BA '83 (magna cum laude), has served as director of marketing communications for Baylor since September 2001. He succeeds Larry Brumley, who resigned to accept an administrative post at Mercer University.
Myers, BA '68 (magna cum laude), MA '88, has been associated with the Institute for Oral History since 1986 and has served as associate director since 1989. She has been a senior lecturer at Baylor for the past six years. She succeeded Rebecca Sharpless, the institute's director since 1993, who has accepted a position at Texas Christian University.