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Texas State University has named Arkansas State University Chancellor Kelly R. Damphousse as the sole finalist in its search for its next college president.
Damphousse was named after a six-month nationwide search.
Damphousse announced his resignation from Arkansas State on Thursday after serving nearly five years as Arkansas State President. Once confirmed by the Texas State University System Board of Regents, he will succeed Denise Trauth, who served as Texas State President for two decades.
Trauth, who became president in 2002, announced his intention to retire in August and is expected to retire by June. She said she did the decision before she was diagnosed with cancer later last year.
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During her tenure, the state of Texas grew significantly from 25,000 students to 38,000 and she helped foster an increase in the number of Hispanic and Latino students, earning the school designation by the Department American Education as an institution serving Hispanics.
Prior to his time at Arkansas, Damphousse served as dean in various capacities at the University of Oklahoma from 2004 to 2017. He received his doctorate in sociology from Texas A&M University and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the Sam Houston State University.
“As a first-generation student, I am honored to be considered for the presidency of such an accomplished university, strategically located in the middle of Texas’ innovation corridor and poised to become a Tier 1 research university.” , said Damphousse, who was raised in northern Canada, said in a statement.
“To be able to build on the tremendous trajectory that President Trauth has established would be a great honor,” he said, adding that he viewed the decision as a “homecoming” to Texas. He met his wife, Beth, in Bryan, and his eldest daughter, Kayleigh, resides in Austin.
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Damphousse will not immediately assume the role at the San Marcos campus because state law requires a 21-day waiting period before the Texas State System Board of Regents can consider his nomination. Once confirmed, he will become the 10th president of the university.
“Dr. Damphousse is a respected academic and community leader who has the knowledge, experience, and passion to lead the State of Texas to new levels of achievement and success,” said Brian McCall, Chancellor of Texas State. University System.
Disclosure: Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, and Texas State University System financially supported The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporations sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the journalism of the Tribune. Find a suit list here.
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