Philander Smith College, a historically black college in Little Rock, has hired its 14th president. Roderick Smothers, currently vice president of advancement at Huston-Tilloston University, succeeds Johnny Moore, who resigned abruptly earlier this year. 

The news release:

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The Philander Smith College Board of Trustees has selected Roderick L. Smothers, Ph.D., currently vice president of advancement at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, as its 14th president.

“Over the last few months, Philander Smith College has had a mantra of ‘Moving Forward.’ Dr. Roderick Smothers is the right choice to continue the institution’s forward movement, to build upon its rich heritage and to sustain its esteemed legacy,” said Artee Williams, chairman of Philander Smith College’s Board of Trustees. “With a stellar 20-year career in higher education—a majority of which has been at historically black colleges and universities— the board believes Dr. Smothers is ideally suited to lead Philander Smith College into a preeminent future.”

Smothers earned his bachelor of science in psychology from Louisiana State University. In addition, he holds a M.P.A. with a concentration in higher education administration from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, research and counseling from Louisiana State University.

The appointment follows an extensive national search and is effective in January 2015. Smothers succeeds interim president Lloyd Hervey, Ph.D., who has served since February.

A news conference officially presenting the new president is planned for a later date. 

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