WINGATE — Dr. Jeff Frederick, Wingate University provost and professor of history, will step down from his role at the end of the spring semester, becoming president at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.
“Wingate University epitomizes a school with great faculty and staff, prizes first-generation college students, has invested in increasing its student diversity, embraces the independent liberal arts tradition, and welcomed my philosophy of developing and empowering leadership at every level of the organization,” Dr. Frederick said. “I am honored to have been the provost for four years and look forward to hearing about all the good things still to come for Wingate.”
As provost, Dr. Frederick has served as the University’s chief academic officer, successfully coordinating Wingate’s undergraduate and graduate academic enterprises, including all academic colleges, schools and programs. In addition to the multifaceted academic disciplines he led, Dr. Frederick has provided direction and oversight to accreditation compliance, institutional effectiveness and assessment, student engagement and advising, the Office of the Registrar, and the library.
“Dr. Frederick has been a trusted guide and an inspirational leader committed to academic excellence and student success,” said Dr. Rhett Brown, president of Wingate University. “We intend to build on the initiatives and enhancements begun under his watch. Dr. Frederick has worked with our faculty to support and continually advance the academic excellence of the University and has ensured that Wingate continues to be a laboratory of difference-making.”
Frederick serves on the President’s Cabinet and Senior Leadership Team as the second-ranking university officer. His influence and legacy will extend beyond his leadership accomplishments; he has actively contributed to cultivating a dynamic academic community, both within and beyond the campus boundaries.
During his tenure, Frederick has implemented several initiatives that have borne fruit for students and faculty, including a pair of inter semester class sessions (Winter Term and Maymester), and has overseen the addition of four new majors and solidified clinical rotations within our area’s leading hospital. Frederick has also emphasized transparency, writing a lengthy email communication to faculty and staff every week, holding regular “parking lot with the provost” sessions and even hosting “Wilson and Main,” a podcast highlighting issues of the day from a Wingate perspective.
As president, Frederick will work to continue the excellence of a personalized, liberal arts education at Drury that features active and engaged learning in undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. “Drury University is excited to welcome Dr. Frederick as our next president,” Rita Baron, chair of the Drury University Board of Trustees said. “With his proven track of record for success, dedication to academic excellence and student-centered approach, we are confident that he will make a positive and significant impact at Drury and on the greater-Springfield community.”
As a scholar, Frederick has been a roundly cited historian of the American South who has advanced global knowledge of the relationship between politics and society. He has published on the history of southern culture and identity, including southern governors during the Civil Rights era, the role of evangelicals in American politics, Deep South party politics, sport and race, and even NASCAR.
Previously, Frederick was the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the Department of History, faculty athletic representative, and professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
“Dr. Frederick leaves behind a huge legacy, and we wish Jeff the best in his new endeavor,” Brown said. “We are extremely grateful for all that he has contributed to the history of Wingate University.”
A search to find Wingate’s next provost will begin immediately.
