The Evergreen State College Announces New Provost

(Olympia, Wash.) Michael Zimmerman will be the next Academic Vice President and Provost at The Evergreen State College. Evergreen President Les Purce made the announcement Monday following the conclusion of a nationwide search.

"Michael brings to Evergreen an extraordinarily rich background in teaching, scholarship, public engagement and leadership in higher education," said Purce.

Zimmerman has more than 30 years of experience in public and private institutions, most recently at Butler University and the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, including positions as dean of the colleges of arts and sciences at those institutions.

He received his A.B. in geography from the University of Chicago and his PhD in biology from Washington University in St. Louis.

"Michael brings substantial leadership skills, a passion for our public liberal arts mission, and a genuine interest in Evergreen's unique potential to serve students and society," said Purce.

"I am honored to have been selected to serve the Evergreen community in this role," said Zimmerman. "I'm approaching the Provost's position with a great sense of excitement, fully aware of the unique and rich role Evergreen has played in higher education since its founding. I consider it a privilege to be able to work with Les Purce and the wonderful administrative team he has put in place, the talented faculty and staff of the college, and the students for whom the college exists."

Zimmerman will begin work at Evergreen this summer. He succeeds Don Bantz who served as Evergreen's provost for six years before leaving to become the president of Alaska Pacific University in March 2010. Evergreen faculty member and former dean Ken Tabbutt has served as interim Provost.