Colburn Named Permanent Provost

Gail F. Baker, Vice President for Public Relations

Dr. Charles E. Young has announced the appointment of David Colburn to serve as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs effective immediately. Dr. Colburn has served as interim provost since November of 1999.

“At this time in the University of Florida’s history there is no person better qualified and capable of handling this demanding assignment,” Dr. Young said. “Dr. Colburn has effectively managed several major challenges facing the university over the past 10 months. He has rightfully earned the respect of individuals and groups inside and outside of the university.”

Dr. Colburn has served as vice provost and senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs. He was interim dean for the International Center and is director of the Reubin O’D. Askew Center on Politics and Society at the University of Florida, which provides public programs to civic leaders and citizens on critical issues confronting the state.

“The permanent appointment of David Colburn to the provost position provides the University with the stability needed to make important personnel and policy decisions. This is indeed an indication the University of Florida is moving forward.”

Dr. Colburn, a professor of History, earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1971. He served two years in the US Army, including a tour in Vietnam, and was a fellow in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1997. The author of ten books and over 20 articles, Dr. Colburn’s most recent book on African American mayors in the United States since 1968, will be published by the University of Illinois Press in 2001.

He has written a study of Government in the Sunshine State: Florida Since Statehood. In 1995 he co-authored The African American Heritage of Florida with Jane L. Landers, a work that earned the Rembert W. Patrick Book Prize as the best book in Florida History for 1996 and also a Certificate of Commendation from the American Association of State and Local History.

A regular guest columnist for the Orlando Sentinel on state and national politics, Dr. Colburn co- authored the report on Rosewood for the Board of Regents and State Legislature. He is a past president of the Florida Historical Society and was named Teacher of the Year at UF in 1977. He joined the UF faculty in 1972.