Boise State University has named John Buckwalter as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Buckwalter joins Boise State after serving as the Betty L. Tointon endowed dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University, as well as a professor in the Department of Kinesiology.
“John Buckwalter is an innovative, strong, and compassionate leader who received positive support from Deans, our Faculty Senate, and a wide range of campus constituents. People who have worked closely with him throughout his career have admired his ability to make extraordinary things happen — all while caring deeply for each of the people that those projects touched, from faculty to staff to students. He has the courage to step into and address difficulties, as well as the creativity to find meaningful pathways through challenges. He will bring fresh eyes to our community and will help us continue to chart the upward trajectory of Boise State,” said President Marlene Tromp.
In his role as dean at Kansas State, Buckwalter oversaw a college comprised of a broad range of departments from financial planning to health and gerontology to the creative arts, as well as multiple centers and institutes. Over the last 5 years, the college has averaged $11 million in sponsored research awards, and $5.7 million in philanthropic gifts.
“I am honored to have been selected as the next provost and vice president for academic affairs at Boise State University,” Buckwalter said. “I am excited to be joining an institution that prides itself on being a student-centered research university while meeting the critical needs of the state and beyond.”
“Dr. Buckwalter brings with him a wide range of experience creating opportunities for and engaging with faculty and students, which ultimately benefits the institution, the local community, and beyond,” said Alicia Estey, search committee co-chair.
“John Buckwalter is an accomplished scholar and researcher who understands the incredibly important role that research plays in the life of a university,” said co-chair Harold Blackman. “I am confident that he will help continue to elevate Boise State’s research profile.”
Buckwalter was selected following a national search. Tony Roark has served as Boise State’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs since June 2018.
“I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Tony Roark for his service as interim Provost, as well as his many years of dedication and leadership at Boise State,” Dr. Tromp said. “He has been a thoughtful, generous, and knowledgeable leader who knows Idaho, the university, and its people so well. He helped guide our university to the successes we have achieved.”
Prior to joining Kansas State University in 2013, Buckwalter spent six years at the University of Texas at Arlington as chair of the Department of Kinesiology and then as the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Education and Health Professions. Prior to moving to Texas, he spent 12 years at the Medical
College of Wisconsin, where he began as a postdoctoral fellow and eventually rose to the rank of Associate Professor of Anesthesiology. He holds a doctoral degree in kinesiology from the University of Arkansas.
During his time in Wisconsin, he developed a primary research agenda related to the autonomic and cardiovascular control of blood flow during exercise. Dr. Buckwalter’s research has been supported by a number of sources including grants from both the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.
Originally from Arkansas, Dr. Buckwalter earned a B.A. in Spanish and B.S. in Health and Physical Education at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, and both an MS and Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is a fellow in the American Physiological Society and the American College of
Sports Medicine. In addition, he currently serves as the Past-Chair of the board for APLU’s Board on Human Sciences.
The following members of the campus community served on the provost national search committee: Harold Blackman, interim vice president for Research and Economic Development, and Alicia Estey, vice president for University Affairs and Chief of Staff (co-chairs); Kenneth Huston, ASBSU president; Matthew Ewing, vice president for University Advancement; Tammi Vacha-Haase, Graduate College dean; JoAnn Lighty, College of Engineering dean; Mark Bannister, College of Business and Economics dean; Peter Koetsier, Department of Biological Sciences professor; Jennifer Weaver, Department of Psychological Science assistant professor; Linsey Hartke, Public Safety; Justin Doi, Department of Community and Environmental Health administrative assistant II; Julia Oxford, Biomolecular Research Center director and professor; Jennifer Snow, College of Education interim dean; Tedd McDonald, Department of Psychological Science professor; Brian Wampler, professor and research director; Alicia Garza, World Languages professor; David Estrada, Materials Science and Engineering associate professor and CAES director; Joelle Powers, College of Health Sciences associate dean; Brittany Brand, Department of Geosciences associate professor; and Michael Strickland, Department of Communication and Media adjunct professor; with project management and support from Elise Alford, special assistant to the Vice President; and Robyn Williams, executive assistant to the vice president for research. Professional search services were provided by SP&A Executive Search.
Buckwalter is scheduled to start in mid-July.