SRU’s Behre selects inaugural presenter
Nov. 2, 2018
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University President William Behre has selected Joseph Marbach, president of Georgian Court University, to formally present him for his investiture as SRU's 17th president at the formal inauguration ceremony, 11 a.m., Nov. 9 in Morrow Field House.
Marbach is the ninth president of Georgian Court, located in Lakewood, New Jersey. As president, he is charged with leading the strategic vision and growth of the university. He is the first male and first lay president in GCU's history.
Prior to his selection as SRU's president, Behre worked alongside Marbach as GCU's provost, serving as that institution's chief academic officer for four years.
As provost, Behre worked closely with deans, department chairs and the president's cabinet. He was responsible for academic program development and review; research and sponsored projects; faculty development; overseeing student life, student success, retention, career services, continuing education, global education and intercollegiate athletics.
"I asked Joe to present me for investiture because he has been such a great friend and mentor," said Behre. "He always supported my desire to seek a presidency of my own and I admire his dedication to our work as well as his good humor and positive outlook.
"Through our time together at Georgian Court University, I found his leadership to be very balanced. He cares deeply about serving students who might otherwise not have an opportunity to attend college. He is an incredibly thoughtful man and leader. I truly appreciate him taking the time to share in this special occasion with me, my family and the SRU community."
"I am very honored to be included in the celebration of Dr. Behre's inauguration," said Marbach. "Having worked with Bill for the past three years, I know him to be a man of great integrity, guided by a belief that higher education is the principal vehicle through which most individuals will enjoy a better life. In this sense, he is a perfect fit for Slippery Rock University. He is committed to student success and will leave a lasting mark on the University."
Marbach possesses a distinguished background in the academic arena as both an educator and thought leader.
In 2010, he was named provost and vice president for academic affairs at La Salle University. There, he established the English Language Institute, the Office of Professional and Corporate Education and the Institute for Lasallian Education and Engaged Pedagogy. Marbach expanded the university's presence in online education, graduate studies, international education and recruitment, signing cooperative agreements with local colleges and international universities.
He is the former dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University, where he also was a professor and former chair of the Department of Political Science. At Seton Hall, Marbach served as acting chair for the Department of Africana Studies and as co-founder and director of the Center for Community Research and Engagement.
Marbach is a past president of the New Jersey Political Science Association and has served on the council of the American Political Science Association's Section on Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations. He was a fellow with the Pennsylvania Policy Forum, and he has been an active participant in the Global Dialogue on Federalism, sponsored by the Forum of Federations and International Association of Centers for Federal Studies. He has taught in many faculty seminars sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright Summer Institute.
Marbach graduated magna cum laude from La Salle University in 1983, and earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Temple University in 1986 and 1993, respectively. His areas of expertise include federalism and intergovernmental relations, state and local government and New Jersey politics.
An award-winning radio analyst, he is often asked to share his expertise in state and local government and particularly in New Jersey politics.
The public is invited to attend the investiture ceremony. Doors to the Field House open at 9 a.m.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robb.king@sru.edu