FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Robert C. McMath, dean of the Honors College and professor of history at the University of Arkansas, has been named interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs by Chancellor Elect G. David Gearhart and Chancellor John A. White.

In this interim capacity, he will succeed Bob Smith, who will step down as provost on June 30 to return full-time to the faculty, where he is a tenured professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

A national search will be conducted to find a permanent provost. A search committee will be appointed in the coming days and will be chaired by Gearhart.

“Bob McMath has the acumen and versatility that make him a perfect fit for this role,” said Gearhart. “He has performed superbly in building our Honors College from the ground-up, and his broad career experience in academic affairs and student services certainly make him more than capable of serving as our chief academic officer during this interim period.”

McMath was appointed as the first dean of the Honors College in 2005. He previously had served as vice provost at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he oversaw student academic services and coordinated campuswide initiatives to improve the teaching and learning environment for undergraduates, including the design of a new undergraduate learning center. He also is an award-winning teacher and author of numerous books and articles about American history.

“I have known Bob McMath for many years, from our days at Georgia Tech, and I know he will do an excellent job as interim provost,” said White. “In the meantime, I know Dr. Gearhart and the search committee will work diligently to find the right candidate to become our next chief academic officer.”

McMath received a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Arts in history from North Texas State University (now known as the University of North Texas). In 1972, he received his doctoral degree in American history from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After receiving his doctorate, he began teaching at Georgia Tech.

“I’m honored and humbled by the responsibility that Chancellor White and Dr. Gearhart have asked me to assume,” said McMath. “As dean of a cross-disciplinary academic unit such as the Honors College, I’ve had the opportunity to work extensively with other deans on campus, as well as faculty from a diverse range of disciplines. I’m excited about continuing that dialogue and collaboration on a broader scale within the administration to contribute to the advancement of our academic mission during this interim period.”

Suzanne McCray, associate dean of the Honors College and director of the office of post-graduate fellowships, has agreed to assume the role of interim dean while McMath is serving as interim provost.

The office of the provost oversees academic affairs policy development and oversight of 10 colleges and schools, as well as the offices of admissions, registrar, financial aid, the libraries, the Air Force and Army ROTC units, the Teaching and Faculty Support Center, and the offices of institutional research and summer session.