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An Introduction:
J. Anthony (Tony) Fernandez
J. Anthony (Tony) Fernandez,
the Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs at Lewis-Clark State College since 2003,
was named president at the college on
March 2, 2011 by the Idaho State Board of
Education.
Fernandez has been serving as
interim president since July 1, 2010 before his
permanent appointment.
Fernandez replaces Dene Kay Thomas, who is left
LCSC after nine years as president to assume the
same job at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
"LCSC is a strong, growing, quality institution
of higher education and I am deeply honored by
this appointment," Fernandez said. "I am excited
about assuming this new role and I look forward
to continuing a strong and productive
relationship with the students, faculty, staff
and administration of LCSC, the State Board of
Education, and the community."
"Tony
has demonstrated a professional approach in all
he does," Idaho State Board of Education
chairman Richard Westerberg said. "We are
thrilled to have him leading this great
institution."
"We had exceptional
candidates apply and interview for this
position," Board secretary Don Soltman said.
"Tony could have any job he wants and we are
fortunate he wants to be here at LC."
"There is no place Diane and I would rather be
than right here," Fernandez said. "This is our
home and we are excited to move forward with
everyone together in helping LCSC realize all
its potential."
Fernandez has been involved in higher education
since earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Biological Sciences from California State
College, Fullerton in 1970. He later earned his
Ph.D. from Washington State University in 1975
in Plant Pathology. He continued at WSU as a
post-doctoral research associate for two years
and then was an assistant/associate professor at
the University of Wyoming during 1977-86 where
he also was Chair of the University Graduate
Faculty Committee during the 1984-85 school
year.
In 1986, Fernandez accepted an associate
professor’s position in Plant Sciences at the
University of Hawaii-Hilo and then became Dean
of the College of Continuing Education and
Community Service in 1992. He served in that
position for four years and then became Dean of
Educational Technology and Continuing Education
at Fort Hays State in Kansas in 1995. He served
in that post for two years before becoming Dean
of the College of Health and Life Sciences at
Fort Hays. He served in that post during
1997-2003 before accepting the Provost position
at LCSC.
As provost, Fernandez was the No. 2
administrator on campus and oversaw both
academic and professional-technical programs.
This past year, LCSC had 4,200 students enrolled
in the fall with 172 full-time and 80 adjunct
faculty members.
Fernandez currently serves on the Idaho
Workforce Development Council, the
Governor’s Idaho Health Professions Education
Council, and is a member of the Regence Blue
Shield of Idaho Board of Directors and a member
of the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
Board of Directors. He has
served on a variety of professional health
boards and task forces throughout his academic
career.
Fernandez is married to Diane, whom he met
at WSU. She is originally from Palouse, Wash., and
they have two adult sons.
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