PULLMAN, Wash. — Rom Markin, longtime Washington State University
faculty member and former dean of the College of Business and Economics,
will serve as the university’s interim provost, WSU President Samuel H. Smith
announced today (Dec. 2).
“Rom Markin brings a unique combination of experience and expertise to this
position,” Smith said. “He is a highly regarded faculty member with a proven
track record as an academic leader and dean.
“Rom’s experience and devotion to WSU will be invaluable to our university in
the months ahead and will ensure a smooth transition as Provost Gretchen
Bataille completes a number of major academic priorities before leaving for
North Carolina,” he said.
The president also noted that as WSU moves into increased work in integrated
marketing and enrollment management, Markin will bring special expertise to
the task.
Provost and Academic Vice President Bataille announced at the Nov. 19
regents’ meeting her intentions to accept a post as senior vice president and
vice president for academic affairs for the 16-campus University of North
Carolina. Bataille, who has been with WSU since 1997, begins her new post
March 1.
Markin will begin working with Bataille on Jan. 1. Smith indicated that the brief
overlap in their appointments allows them to arrange for an orderly transition.
A member of the WSU faculty since 1961, Markin served as CBE dean from
1980-95. His academic teaching and research specialties include
entrepreneurship, marketing, retailing strategy and consumer behavior.
He initiated and oversaw development of the Center for Entrepreneurship and
served as its director since 1997. Markin also held the James D. Huber
Memorial Chair in Entrepreneurship.
In October, Markin became the first Maughmer Freedom Philosophy Professor.
He also serves as treasurer of the WSU Research Foundation Board.
Bp/sh147-99
