During a special monthly meeting via teleconference, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) unanimously named Dr. Roy C. Hudson Interim President of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), a position he will assume effective July 15 following the resignation of current MVSU President Dr. Lester C. Newman.

Dr. Hudson has served MVSU in various capacities since 1973, including Director of Student Teaching; Assistant to the President; Vice President for Administration; Vice President for Institutional Advancement; and his current position as Vice President for University Relations, a position he has held since 2000. A native of Itta Bena, Dr. Hudson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi Valley State University; a Master of Arts for Teachers degree from Mississippi State University; and an Ed.D. from Rutgers University. He is married to Ms. Dorothy Hudson, and they have two children and one grandchild.

"The Board appreciates Dr. Hudson's service to the university and the state," said Board President Dr. L. Stacy Davidson, Jr. "We are confident he will provide effective leadership as we begin the process of searching for the sixth President of Mississippi Valley State University."

"I am very pleased to serve MVSU as Interim President at this time," said Dr. Hudson. "I consider this a responsibility rather than a privilege."

The Board will announce next steps with regard to the MVSU presidential search process as they are determined. The Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

A photo of Dr. Roy C. Hudson can be found here: http://www.mississippi.edu/hudson_lg.jpg.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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