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JOHN CRAIN NAMED PROVOST AT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY HAMMOND -- John L. Crain, a Southeastern Louisiana University alumnus and member of the accounting faculty since 1986, has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs, the university's highest academic post. Crain, whose appointment was confirmed June 28 by the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, has served as interim provost since June 2001. He succeeds Randy Moffett, who became Southeastern's 13th president last December. "Southeastern is fortunate to have an individual with the qualifications of Dr. Crain serving as our chief academic officer," said Moffett. "His focus on helping Southeastern maintain academic excellence, his strong background in teaching and research, and his experience in handling faculty and academic issues made him an ideal candidate." "I am truly honored by this appointment," Crain said. "Coordinating the academic focus at Southeastern and maintaining a strong faculty are significant challenges. Fortunately, the groundwork at Southeastern has already been prepared by years of excellent leadership from which we can continue to draw." Prior to serving as interim provost, Crain headed Southeastern's Accounting Department from1999-2001. As department chair, he led efforts to reaffirm the department's accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. He also served as president of the Faculty Senate from 1997-1999, chair of the university's Council of Department Heads, and director of the Southeastern Small Business Development Center/Business Resource Center. Crain, a native of Franklinton and 1978 graduate of Franklinton High School, received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southeastern in 1981 and Master of Business Administration in 1984. He attained Certified Public Accountant status in 1983 and worked as a staff accountant with the firm of Seal, Smith, and Vaughn, CPAs. He received his doctoral degree in accountancy from the University of Mississippi in 1988. Crain's scholarly accomplishments include publication of more than 50 refereed journal articles and 35 academic conference presentations. Specializing in research on the oil and gas industry and taxation, he was the 1992 recipient of Southeastern's highest faculty award, the President Award for Excellence in Research. He was coordinator of faculty research for the College of Business and Technology and has been a member of the review boards for journals such as the "Accounting Educators' Journal" and the "Delta Business Review." Crain is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Accounting Association, American Taxation Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants. |