By Norm Miller, LC News
PINEVILLE (LCNews) – Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer announced four promotions for academic and staff administrators on July 18. The personnel changes become effective August 1.
Jerry Pounds will become the college’s vice president for academic affairs, thus vacating his duties as professor of psychology.
Jerry Pounds
“Dr. Pounds brings more than an impressive resume to this position,” Brewer said. “He has served in higher education in numerous roles, from adjunct professor at Liberty University to president of Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia, and in several roles at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
“Well-versed in Baptist culture, Jerry has served the local church as a youth minister and in the interim, bi-vocational, and associate pastoral roles,” Brewer noted. “Dr. Pounds’ experience in higher education and local church ministry demonstrates his commitment to integrating faith in and out of the classroom.”
“Having personally observed Jerry’s work ethic, his relationships with campus peers, and his heart for the classroom, I believe he will acquit himself not merely from a sense of duty, but from a deep-seated commitment to our students and our vision,” Brewer said.
“Dr. Pounds understands where we are taking Louisiana College,” Brewer added. “Our vision statement of preparing graduates and transforming lives is more than a motto for Jerry; it is a conviction that will find fruition in his role to implement and enhance our relevant, relational and rigorous curricula.”
Pounds earned a BA from Samford University, a Master’s in Religious Education from New Orleans Seminary, and an EdD from Vanderbilt University.
Cheryl Clark has served as interim vice president for Academic Affairs since 2014, and will remain in that office as associate vice president.
Cheryl Clark
“Louisiana College stakeholders owe a significant debt of gratitude to Dr. Clark as she has served sacrificially — well above and beyond the call — during some difficult days in our recent past,” Brewer said. “I also cannot thank her enough for how she has assisted me since my arrival as president. Dr. Clark already has proven her mettle, and I am confident in her abilities and passion for this new role.”
Earning three degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, Clark has a BA in English with a minor in piano performance, an MA in English, and a PhD in English with specialization in eighteenth-century British Literature and transatlantic Domestic Literature.
Clark will continue to serve LC as Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Division of Humanities. She is holder of the Olive Ann Rau Chair in English.
Randall Hargis, vice president for Business Affairs and CFO, has also been serving as interim executive vice president but will move into that role permanently.
Randall Hargis
Hargis is a Certified Public Accountant with a BS degree in accounting from Louisiana Tech, and has worked at LC since June 1985.
“If a college will pursue academic excellence, then it necessarily must also pursue excellence in its fiduciary responsibilities,” Brewer said. “And excellence is a word that describes Randall Hargis. His pencil is as sharp as his mind, and both have drawn and maintained our course for three decades running. Randall’s decisions are as important as our academic ones, and I know he will continue to keep us on track.”
Amy Craig is now dean of LC’s School of Education. She became interim administrator in January.
Amy Craig
“Dr. Craig stepped into the interim role with the kind of determination a top-notch committed leader exemplifies,” Brewer said. “She traveled to the corners of this state, visiting school districts and educators in an effort to promote our TEACH Certification program and Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Amy epitomizes our ‘And Then Some’ mindset at Louisiana College, and I know the good work she has begun will take our School of Education to new heights.
Brewer noted his gratitude for the entire LC staff and faculty: “I have been blessed and encouraged with how our LC family has caught the vision and enjoined the mission to revitalize and rebuild the college. Doubtlessly, the four who will undertake these new assignments bring an exponential advance in our commitment to prepare graduates and transform lives through a Christ centered curricular and co-curricular experience.”
