Rick Marrs named provost of Pepperdine University

Rick MarrsRick Marrs, dean of Seaver College, the undergraduate college at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., has been named provost of the university.

Marrs will succeed Darryl Tippens, Pepperdine’s chief academic officer since 2001.

A Pepperdine news release reports:

“I am delighted to welcome Dean Marrs in his new role,” said Pepperdine president Andrew K. Benton. “His leadership of Seaver College, embodiment of the Pepperdine mission, and tremendous qualities as a scholar and educator will equip him well as provost. I will be honored to serve this fine university alongside him.”

In his new role, Marrs will oversee the academic development and integrity of Pepperdine University and provide leadership to its five schools and colleges. He will hold primary responsibility for directing the University’s academic programs, encouraging effective faculty scholarship and teaching, student learning, strategic planning, and a broad range of academic initiatives.

“I am humbled and honored that the president has asked me to serve as the next provost of Pepperdine University,” Marrs said. “Having spent the majority of my career at Pepperdine, I am thrilled to now have the opportunity as provost to help continue to move the University forward academically and enrich the mission. I especially look forward to working with President Benton to achieve the lofty goals of Pepperdine’s strategic vision.”

Tippens revealed plans last year to retire from Pepperdine and return to Abilene Christian University in Texas, where he’ll serve as ACU’s first Distinguished Scholar of Faith, Learning and Literature.