Bobby Hall recommended as next Wayland president

PLAINVIEW—The search committee at Wayland Baptist University will recommend Bobby Hall, a longtime administrator at the university, as the university’s 13th president.

Wayland’s board of trustees will consider the committee’s recommendation at its April 28 spring meeting, pending a campus review April 22, when Hall will present his vision for Wayland to the campus community and its constituents.

The search committee selected Hall as the lone finalist from among seven candidates the group interviewed, Chairman Rick Breeden said. If elected, he will succeed Paul Armes, who retires at the end of June after more than 15 years as Wayland’s president.

Bobby Hall Hall has been associated with Wayland more than 30 years and has been executive vice president and provost since 2008.

During Hall’s time as chief academic officer, Wayland has created new degree programs, developed a comprehensive online program, established new teaching sites in multiple states, created its first doctoral program, implemented a systemwide digital imaging system, and explored international opportunities in Japan, Mexico, China and Brazil.

His previous roles at Wayland include 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.

He also is a professor in the School of Business and a recipient of the 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 consulted on topics such as higher education administration, institutional effectiveness, economic development and marketing.

Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management from Wayland. He earned his doctor of education degree in higher education administration at Texas Tech University. He also graduated from The Council for Independent Colleges’ Executive Leadership Academy.