Eastern Kentucky University has named Dr. W. Lyle Cook as its new provost and vice president for academic affairs, President Joanne Glasser announced.

Cook comes to EKU from Black Hills State University, Spearfish, S.D., where he has served as vice president of academic affairs since 1996. He has more than 30 years experience as a professor and administrator at Eastern Montana College, Idaho State University and Louisiana State University-Shreveport, where he was dean of the College of Science from 1985 to 1996.

Selected after an "extensive" national search, Cook will join President Glasser's leadership team July 1.

"Dr. Cook is a well-respected teacher, scholar and administrator, and has demonstrated an impressive wealth of knowledge, skill and ability at every stop in his professional career," Glasser said. "He will be a tremendous addition to the University's senior leadership team and to our institution.

"Dr. Cook impressed our faculty and our students with his desire to lead EKU toward becoming a comprehensive university of national distinction," Glasser added. "However, what impressed me most about Dr. Cook is his love for students. He has developed throughout his professional career a reputation for leading academic programs that are student-centered. He has committed to our faculty and to me his desire to continue Eastern's efforts to make students and student academic achievement a priority."

While at Black Hills, Cook guided all academic operations of the 3,700-student, four-year liberal arts institution, which, like EKU, serves many first-generation rural students. He oversaw the restructuring of academic administration to a three-college model, established a Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education, initiated a Summer Institute for the Arts, and enhanced science programs by developing a grants office that resulted in an increase in external funding from under $250,000 to more than $2 million annually.

"I was very impressed with the commitment by President Glasser to take EKU to the next level of excellence, and I am eager to join that effort," Cook said. "The faculty is active and engaged and shares in her vision, and I know we can accomplish great things by working together."

While at LSU-Shreveport, he created new undergraduate programs in Geographic Information Systems, Biochemical Science and Environmental Science, and developed graduate programs in Systems Technology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences and Chemistry. He also served as chairman of the Louisiana Council of Deans of Arts and Sciences, 1988-89. LSU-Shreveport serves approximately 4,100 students.

Cook, who grew up in Cape Girardeau, Mo., earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1965 and a doctoral degree in mathematics from Oklahoma State University in 1972.