Dateline: August 6, 2019, Athens, AL – Athens State University welcomed Dr. Philip Way and his wife, Cheryl, to campus on August 1 as Dr. Way officially took office as the University’s 37th President. Way, who previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and as interim president at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, succeeds Dr. Robert “Bob” Glenn, who resigned from Athens State in July 2018.
Way holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Industrial and Business Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Selwyn College, Cambridge University. He also completed the Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship and Visiting Fellowship at Harvard University. Dr. Way has over 30 years’ experience as a faculty member and administrator in higher education, serving over 20 years at the University of Cincinnati and over six years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before his time at Slippery Rock.
The Athens State University Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Way as Athens State’s new president at its meeting on May 17. “The Board members were impressed with Dr. Way’s breadth and depth of experience as a scholar and senior-level administrator in higher education,” stated Mr. Ronnie Chronister, Board of Trustees Chairman. “His focus on student success aligns well with the mission of Athens State University, and we feel that he will be an asset to this institution.”
At a press conference announcing his appointment, Dr. Way stated, “I am pleased to be joining such a fine institution that is clearly dedicated to student achievement. I am optimistic about what the future holds for Athens State University, our students, our employees, and our community.”
