A former West Liberty University president whose contract was not renewed last year has been hired as a consultant, a university official said.
W. Franklin Evans is now a research analyst and executive consultant at the university, Board of Governors Chairman Rich Lucas told The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register.
After the 12-member Board of Governors refused in August to extend Evans’ contract, he began discussing the new role with him, Lucas said.
No specific end date was given for the new position, whose contract can be terminated at any time, Lucas said.
WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY LEADER
A former president of West Liberty University is now a consultant to the West Virginia school and a research analyst at the university.
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“His title pretty much describes the role,” Lucas said. “He is helping us in the transition. It’s not part of the search for a new president at all. You have specific tasks to perform in your transition.”
Evans’ contract as president expired on December 31. He became the first black president in West Liberty in January 2021.
In November 2021, the board censured Evans, who was accused of using quotes from various sources without attributing them during various speeches. Evans later apologized in a letter to West Liberty.