NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches officially has a new president coming in May after the University of Texas System Board of Regents gave their unanimous approval Monday.
Dr. Neal R. Weaver was approved as the lone finalist to become SFA's next president in February. The board had to wait at least 21 days before voting to make him president. He has been the president of Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, Georgia since 2017.
Weaver will step into his new role in mid-May, according to the UT System's announcement.
He becomes the 11th president in the university's history. Last September, SFA became the 14th University of Texas institution.
He was chosen among several candidates presented by the presidential search advisory committee that included SFA faculty, students, alumni, and community leaders, along with UT presidents and regents.
“Dr. Weaver’s successful leadership across multiple public university systems will be valuable in guiding SFA into its new era as a UT Institution,” said UT System Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. “We appreciate the dedication and diligence of our search advisory committee throughout this process.”
UT Tyler Chancellor James B. Milliken said Weaver has a list of achievements at Georgia Southwestern and he has potential to foster similar progress at SFA within the UT System.
“Dr. Weaver’s demonstrated record of expanding the impact of a regional university is important to the regents and me, and we look forward to providing our full support as he leads SFA into its very promising future,” Milliken said.
Weaver said Stephen F. Austin has the tools needed to be a powerful force in East Texas, within the University of Texas System, and across the entire state. He and his wife, Kristi, have three sons and one granddaughter.
“Kristi and I are excited to join the Lumberjack Nation and help SFA realize its full potential and new levels of success," Weaver said.