Robin Capehart
WHEELING, W.Va. — There will be no presidential search committee at West Liberty University in the near future, as the Louisiana Board of Regents chose Texas Tech Vice Chancellor Joseph Rallo over Robin Capehart to be the state’s new commissioner of higher education.
Capehart, who has been president at West Liberty since 2007 and oversaw the institution’s elevation to university status in 2009, was upbeat following the board’s announcement.
“It was an exciting opportunity, and I’m glad I went throught the process,” he said. “But I’ve got a great job at West Liberty. … It wasn’t to be, and that’s fine.”
The board made its decision Thursday after final interviews with Capehart and Rallo. A third candidate, Ray DiPasquale of Rhode Island, withdrew his name from consideration earlier in the day, according to the Associated Press.
Louisiana’s commissioner of higher education oversees all two-year and four-year colleges in the state.
Capehart, who has been on a leave of absence since July 1, said he will be back in the office this morning.
“I want to thank the members of the Louisiana Board of Regents and their staff for their gracious hospitality, and I want to wish the new commissioner the best of luck in the future,” he added.
West Liberty’s board of governors approved a new contract for Capehart in June. In 2013, Capehart earned a salary of $233,573, compared to the $149,900 he earned during 2008, his first full year at West Liberty.
To read more from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register, subscribe here.
