News Release
President Wilcox Names Dr. Jeremiah John as New Provost
Southern Virginia University President Reed N. Wilcox has named Dr. Jeremiah John as provost and chief academic officer of the University. Dr. John succeeds Dr. Scott Dransfield for whom he served as associate provost for the past two years.
“Our mission at this University is to gather Latter-day Saint students, lift them by broadening their horizons and challenging them to be their best, and prepare them to launch into the next steps in their lives,” John said. “I look forward to continuing in [Professor Dransfield’s] footsteps as I work with my colleagues to carry out that mission.”
John joined Southern Virginia’s faculty in 2007 as an associate professor of politics tasked with building the University’s new politics major from the ground up. Over the past 11 years, he has taught in the politics major and core curriculum and has served as associate provost, politics program coordinator and assistant cross-country coach.
“I have loved working with Professor John, who is so smart and who really knows what’s best for Southern Virginia,” Dransfield said. “Being here from the very start as a student, and then serving as a cross-country coach as well as politics professor, gives him a unique perspective that will serve the school well. And it’s simply been fun working with him!
“Whatever our respective assignments,” Dransfield continued. “We’ve decided to continue being partners in building the University.”
John’s association with Southern Virginia stretches back to 1996, when he attended as an undergraduate student and a member of the University’s inaugural class. He then went on to graduate summa cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College and earn his doctorate in political theory and comparative politics from the University of Notre Dame.
“I’m thrilled to continue working with [Professor John],” President Wilcox added, noting John’s longtime involvement and experience at Southern Virginia. “In the world of startups, companies have employee numbers reflecting their first date of involvement. Few others at this University would have a lower number for earlier involvement in this University than Jeremy [John].”
Having served as provost for the past two years, Dransfield will return to his role as professor of English and continue teaching full-time.
“What I’m feeling most is gratitude to President Wilcox and to Southern Virginia for entrusting me with this position these last two years,” Dransfield said. “However, I have missed the students more than I can say. I am so looking forward to being back in the classroom with these bright young people. From the start, the magic of Southern Virginia for me has been in the classroom.”