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HomeSportsInstant Peay Play: New Era starts today for Austin Peay State University...

Instant Peay Play: New Era starts today for Austin Peay State University as new President officially assumes duties

Legends Bank, Clarksville TNClarksville, TN – In the history, or timeline, of any university there are mileposts that dot the progress of that institution over the years and Austin Peay State University is no different.

One of those events will occur June 30th, as Alisa White will assume the leadership role of president of the university – taking over for Tim Hall, who served in that capacity the past seven years.

Austin Peay State University President - Alisa White

White, who was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents on June 2nd, comes to Clarksville after serving as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler.

This will be her first appointment as a university president in her career in higher education, which began in 1988 as an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and her first in the state of Tennessee.

But it will be a homecoming of sorts, with White earning her bachelor’s degree in Lee College – which is now Lee University, in Cleveland, TN – and her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

The next few months will be interesting, as the university community and the Clarksville area as a whole watches to see what path White will lead APSU on and what early impressions she will have in the community.

One of the most interesting to watch will be the athletic department, who barely a year ago underwent a major change with Derek van der Merwe taking over as athletics director June 5th, 2013 from Dave Loos – who remains as head men’s basketball coach.

Will White be as big a proponent of athletics as Hall was? How will her and van der Merwe mesh, with van der Merwe still putting his mark of the department with the rebranding that has been going on with the new logo, department website among other things that have transpired in the past 12 months.

Only time will tell, but hopefully President White will follow as a strong proponent of Governors and Lady Govs athletics as much as Hall did as president.

Chris Austin
Chris Austinhttp://www.clarksvillesportsnetwork.com
Chris Austin is a graduate of Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University. Chris is a former Head Softball Coach for APSU, and assistant basketball coach for CHS. Chris has worked at the Leaf-Chronicle, and WJZM News/Talk/Sports radio. Has also worked at the Sports Information Department at APSU, and has covered championship events for the Ohio Valley Conference and NCAA. Chris is an avid sports fan and can be found at most Austin Peay State University sports events.
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