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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/10/06

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
����ֱ�� State College
(304) 462-4115

����ֱ��, WV---����ֱ�� State College now officially has a new president. Dr. Peter B. Barr was sworn into office on Friday, November 10, 2006, during an 11:00 a.m. ceremony in the GSC Fine Arts Center. During Barr's speech in a packed auditorium, he focused on the inaugural theme, ‘Preserving and Responding,' as he discussed preserving GSC's past and responding to the needs of the college's future.

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan (pictured right) was among the dignitaries who participated in the ceremony. Mollohan said, "I welcome him home to West Virginia. It's a new era at ����ֱ�� State College, and I look forward to working with Dr. Barr."

An inaugural luncheon took place after the ceremony followed by an inaugural gala that evening. A special inaugural dinner for GSC students is scheduled the night before. In an interview with the West Virginia Metro News Network, Barr said, "The inaugural festivities have just been magical. I thank everybody who participated. Even a group from Coastal Carolina University came up from South Carolina to share this day with me. It's been a great day."

The Huntington native arrived on the ����ֱ�� State campus the middle of June and began serving as the college's President on July 1st. He says strengthening ����ֱ�� State College and encouraging students to give back to their communities are among his concerns. “We must train students for jobs, but, at the same time, educate them to make the world a better place to live,” said Barr.

Dr. Barrs’ many goals include increasing student enrollment, improving student retention rates, working with the GSC Foundation on a capital campaign, and assisting local residents on boosting economic development in the area. Barr said, “The first five months on the job have been five of the most exciting months of my life.”

Barr comes to ����ֱ�� State from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where he was the Provost and Senior Vice President serving as the school’s Chief Academic Officer. He is a Marshall University graduate holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Marshall as well as a Doctorate of Business Administration degree from Louisiana Tech University.

Barr was among more than 70 candidates for the position. He replaces former ����ֱ�� State College President, Robert Freeman, who retired the end of June.