CoppinMortimer2520NeufvilleDr. Mortimer Neufville, a veteran higher education administrator, was named president of Coppin State University president July 9 by William E. Kirwan, chancellor of University System of Maryland.

Neufville has been serving as interim president of the historically Black institution since Jan. 23 following the resignation of Reginald Avery. Previously he served as executive vice president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).

Neufville’s background includes 13 years at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where he was vice president for academic affairs, dean of agricultural science and research director before serving as UMES interim president from 2011 to 2012.

“We are very fortunate that Dr. Newville has accepted this appointment,” Kirwan said in a statement. “With a history of serving higher education with distinction and effectiveness, he is well positioned to serve Coppin well during this critical transition period.”

Neufville earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Tuskegee University and master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science from the University of Florida. In 2001, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Tuskegee University. AFRO