Fincher named interim Emory & Henry president

EMORY, Va. — Dr. Louise "Lou" Fincher, seasoned higher education leader, healthcare educator and senior vice president of Emory & Henry College, has been named interim president of the institution.The announcement Monday follows last week's announcement that current President John W. Wells will be stepping down from his position at the end of July and transition to become the inaugural chancellor of Emory & Henry University.Fincher, who also serves as the founding dean of the E&H School of Health Sciences, will assume the role of interim president beginning Aug. 1 until a successor for Wells is named by the university's Board of Trustees."I have tremendous faith in Dr. Fincher's ability to guide the institution during this time of transition," Wells said in a Monday E&H news release. "In selecting Dr. Fincher as the interim president, the Board of Trustees has recognized her demonstrated success as a leader and the immense respect she has among those close to the institution."Fincher began working for E&H in 2014 as the founding dean of the School of Health Sciences. Her vision helped launch the E&H School of Health Sciences in Marion, a 15-acre campus that now houses graduate and undergraduate programs in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, mental health counseling and physician assistant.In 2017 she was named a vice president with administrative oversight of graduate education and research compliance. She also led initiatives to develop infrastructure for online education.In 2020 she was named senior vice president, working with the president and provost to implement and assess the school's strategic plan. In this role, she worked with the E&H Advancement Office to establish relationships with philanthropic supporters and raise funds for key initiatives throughout the institution.In addition, she led the development of the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Laboratory School or SWVA-HEALS, a pipeline program preparing future healthcare professionals to meet the workforce shortages in Southwest Virginia.Dr. Ann Sluder, the chair of the E&H Board of Trustees and 1981 graduate from E&H, expressed confidence in Fincher's ability to maintain consistent leadership as the Board begins a search for the university's next president."Emory & Henry has benefited greatly from the steadfast leadership Dr. Fincher has contributed to the university through the School of Health Sciences. We are fortunate now, to rely on her breadth of knowledge of higher education, her exemplary leadership and a proven track record of outstanding success across the entirety of the institution. Emory & Henry will continue to thrive and uphold its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement with Dr. Fincher at the helm."Fincher holds a doctor of education degree with a focus on human performance studies from The University of Alabama, a master of science in education degree with a focus on athletic training from Indiana State University and a bachelor of science in education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.Before coming to Emory & Henry, she served as professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Health Professions at The University of Texas at Arlington.While there she led the development of an athletic training education program, developed graduate programs in athletic training and exercise science, and secured funding for and provided oversight to renovation projects that produced a 75% increase in departmental enrollment.From 1995 to 2000 she served as President and CEO of the Joe W. King Orthopedic Institute at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Previously she served as the Institute's Director of Education and Coordinator of Research and Education.A widely published scholar and researcher, Fincher has been frequently honored for both her academic and community contributions. Her many honors include designation in 2022 as a Fellow by the National Academies of Practice by the Athletic Training Academy; the Tribute to Women Award given in 2018 by the YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia in 2018; the Healthcare Hero Award bestowed by The Business Journal of Tri-Cities in 2017; the Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award given by the National Athletic Trainers' Association in 2016; and Hall of Fame honors in 2011 awarded by the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association.