Wayland Baptist University announces alum to be 13th president

PLAINVIEW, TX (KCBD) - Information provided by Wayland Baptist University

The Wayland Baptist University Board of Trustees voted April 28 to name Bobby Hall, Ed.D., the 13th president of the university, effective July 1. Hall will replace Dr. Paul Armes who is retiring at the end of June. Hall is the first Wayland alum to serve in such a capacity.

Dr. Hall will remain in his current position as Executive Vice President and Provost through June 30.

Dr. Hall has been associated with Wayland for more than 30 years, serving in his current position since 2008. He has served in many capacities at Wayland, including assistant executive vice president, director of institutional research and effectiveness, director of graduate services, executive director of university relations, assistant to the president for institutional advancement, director of public relations, and director of career planning and placement.

Dr. Hall holds a bachelor's degree in business administration (1982) and a master's degree in management (1985) from Wayland. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in higher education administration at Texas Tech University in 1994. He is also a 2015 graduate of The

Council for Independent Colleges' Executive Leadership Academy.

During Hall's time as Executive VP and Provost, Wayland has created new degree programs, developed a comprehensive online program, established new teaching sites in multiple states, created WBU's first doctoral program, implemented a system­wide digital imaging system, and explored international opportunities for Wayland in Japan, Mexico, China, and Brazil.

While a full time faculty member he earned the rank of professor of business. He received the university Distinguished Faculty Service Award and Faculty University Service Award. He was instrumental in beginning Wayland's chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (now Enactus), and has written, spoken and served as a consultant on topics including higher education administration, institutional effectiveness, economic development, and marketing.

Dr. Hall currently serves as President of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. His wife,

Laurie, is the director of health services at Wayland. They have a daughter, Alex, and son, Lucas.