Associated Press Published

W.Va. Higher Ed Board Approves Marshall's Interim Leader

Marshall University

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has approved the appointment of one of its members as Marshall University’s interim president.

The commission unanimously approved Gary White’s appointment on Tuesday during an emergency meeting.

Marshall’s board named White as its interim president on Monday following the death of president Stephen Kopp.

The 63-year-old Kopp died suddenly on Dec. 17 after being hospitalized for an illness.

White will lead the university while its board conducts a search for a permanent president. The search is expected to take up to nine months.

White had been a member of the commission since 2013. The commission says in a news release that he has resigned from the position.

White also has been executive vice president of Blackhawk Mining LLC since October.