The Lyon College Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of President W Joseph King (pictured above), according to a letter to the community released late this afternoon from Board of Trustees President Perry Wilson.
Provost Dr. Melissa Taverner (pictured below) has been named Interim President.
King’s resignation comes in light of his controversial comments to a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper about the Batesville area and an alleged Trump rally on the campus of Lyon College that never occurred.
King’s quotes in a July 26 article from The Chronicle of Higher Education drew immediate and strong pushback from the community as well as leaders and Lyon College faculty.
From Lyon College Board of Trustees President Perry Wilson:
To our community:
I’m writing to let you know that the Lyon College Board of Trustees has accepted President W. Joseph King’s resignation effective immediately. We are thankful for Dr. King’s service and guidance during his presidency. The College has established numerous programs and initiatives that have flourished under his leadership including the College’s ROTC program and military science concentration. We are also grateful for Dr. King’s leadership in keeping our campus and our students safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are especially grateful for his leadership in establishing our ongoing exploration of a strategic partnership with the University of the Ozarks.
I am pleased to announce that Provost Melissa Taverner will serve as interim president. As so many of you know, she is passionate about the College’s mission and is ready to continue our most important work, which is providing an excellent liberal arts education to our students to prepare them for their futures.
This is an extraordinary time for Lyon College and the Batesville community. We have experienced a multitude of challenges, and I want to acknowledge and thank everyone—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—for their efforts. I also want to express my deep appreciation to this dedicated community for its support of our College. It is a blessing we have had for nearly 150 years.
Sincerely,
Perry L. Wilson
Lyon College Chairman
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