The University of Dallas welcomed Dr. J. William Berry as the University's provost in June 2008. In December 2008, Dr. Berry also became an executive vice president of the University.

 

Before coming to UD, Dr. Berry held the position of provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Butler University. At Butler he led many successful initiatives, including an effort that raised freshman retention from 81 percent to 89 percent and increased overall retention from 87 percent to 91 percent. He also coauthored several grant proposals that secured more than $48 million of support for the university.

 

Additionally, Dr. Berry was successful in working with the president of Butler to bring the university from serious deficits to annual balanced budgets. He has substantial accrediting experience with both regional and specialized accrediting agencies, and has won praise from colleagues for his integrity, courage, and values in the context of collegial leadership.

 

Prior to his work at Butler University, Dr. Berry held the positions of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1998-2001 and provost and dean of faculty at the University of Central Arkansas from 1989-1998. In addition to his 19 years of experience as provost, he has also been a professor of history for more than 30 years.

 

Dr. Berry earned a doctorate in history at Princeton University and a bachelor's degree in English and history from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.