Hoff Named Interim Provost

Dr. Peter Hoff has been named interim provost of the University of West Georgia, effective July 9.

Hoff, who will not be a candidate for the permanent position, will serve until the job is filled.

“I am delighted to have been asked to help the university during this important transition year and to help tackle some serious challenges,” said Hoff. “Paramount among these is achieving the vision of making UWG more than ever a first-class destination choice for thousands of students.”

Dr. Don Wagner has been named special associate to the provost, assisting Hoff.

Hoff, a professor of English, served as president of the University of Maine from 1997-2004.

Born in Georgia, he graduated the University of Wisconsin with an English degree and earned master's and doctorate degrees in English and humanities from Stanford University.

For 17 years he was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside while holding leadership positions such as department chair, honors program director, faculty senate chair, and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence.

In 1987, he became vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University Southeast. In 1990, the University System of Georgia named Hoff vice chancellor for academic affairs.

He moved to California in 1993 to be senior vice chancellor of the California State University System.

Hoff has been honored with a number of awards, including: Outstanding Teaching Award, Converge Magazine’s designation as one of the “Shapers of Our Future,” and membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Eta Sigma.

In 2005, the Theodore Hesburgh Award recognized the statewide faculty development program he had founded in Wisconsin for its excellence.

Hoff is married to Dr. Dianne L. Hoff, associate dean of education at UWG.