Mercer selects new provost and vice president of academic affairs

Mercer University named senior vice provost Lisa Murphey Lundquist as its new provost Monday, marking the first appointment of new leadership under newly-appointed president Penny Elkins. 

Lundquist has worked at Mercer for two decades and formerly served as dean of the university’s College of Pharmacy and College of Health Professions. As Mercer’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, she will oversee the university’s academic programs. 

Lundquist said her previous roles have equipped her to work with different academic deans and support faculty in providing opportunities for students.

The university is also looking at aligning its programs with employer and student demand, like with its planned occupational therapy program, Lundquist said.

“It’s an exciting moment in the university to be moving forward together with President Elkins and determining, ‘what are our next steps within the university and our academic enterprise?’” Lundquist told The Melody.

Lundquist, a Birmingham native, worked at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy before becoming a faculty member at Mercer’s pharmacy school. She said she was drawn to Mercer for its commitment to service, research and teaching as well as a strong sense of community respect.

Lundquist succeeds Scott Davis — who died last February from a heart attack — as Mercer’s provost after Elkins held the position in an interim capacity.

At the announcement on Mercer’s Macon campus, Elkins took the time to reiterate the three goals of her presidency which she initially noted during her appointment speech in November. 

Those commitments include positively impacting students, enlarging the university’s academic, research and service options and “clearly and authentically” telling the Mercer story. 

“She is well-positioned,” Elkins said of Lundquist. “She is ready to lead this academic enterprise and I couldn’t be more proud of this appointment.”