Interim provost takes helm amid Eric Freedman departure.

Eric Freedman, formerly Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Truman State University, concluded his tenure on July 1. Freedman is to assume a new role as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

 President Sue Thomas informed faculty and staff via email about the appointment of an Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, as well as the university’s plan for a long-term successor.

“Tim Walston, current Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, has agreed to serve as interim provost” wrote Thomas. “We will conduct a national search, with members of our community welcome to apply, that will commence in the fall semester. I will work with constituency groups to establish a search committee and develop a position description.”

With a combined 19 years of experience at Truman, Walston has served eig

ht years as the dean of the school of science and mathematics. Walston has worked under three different provosts during his tenure and was initially surprised to find that Freedman had left the University.

“I was excited that this opportunity came up for the next year for me to get my feet wet in the position.” Walston said. “I’ve been here for almost 20 years because I really love this place. The students are exceptional, the faculty and staff are outstanding, and it’s a place that I’m really invested in. if I can step into this role and serve the university, it’s really something that is meaningful and important to me.”

The function of  Walston’s newfound position is not just to keep the ship afloat but to continue the process of the reorganization that his predecessor initiated. 

According to Walston, the reorganization implemented by Freedman was controversial, while some faculty and departments struggled with the new structure, others thrived. Walston’s new role is to ensure the continued progress and success of this reorganization across all departments. 

“Sometimes when interim provosts step in, the goal is just to keep the ship afloat. Don’t do anything big, don’t make any changes.” Walston said. “Put everything on pause and just keep the ship afloat. However, President Thomas made it very clear that she wants the person in the interim role not to be that person. She wants the person in the interim role to be a person that takes what Provost Freedman has started and continues those initiatives moving forward.”