Bluefield State Taps Veteran Administrator to Steady Finances

Bluefield State University, a public historically black university (HBCU) in West Virginia, has appointed Ronald A. Johnson as interim president. The appointment follows the August dismissal of former president Darrin Martin amid severe financial mismanagement.

Johnson brings extensive higher-education and financial expertise to the role. A former president of Clark Atlanta University and interim leader at two other HBCUs, he holds degrees from Adelphi and Stanford universities and has held senior financial positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Templeton Worldwide.

His primary mandate is to stabilize the institution’s finances. The Board of Governors recently uncovered alarming irregularities under Mr. Martin’s tenure, including more than US$1.5 million in unpaid obligations, missing financial records, conflicting fiscal reporting, a missed US$7 million state appropriation deadline, and unreported NCAA compliance issues.

Johnson replaces Cathy Deeb, who capably served as acting president and will now return to her role as vice-chairwoman of the Board of Governors. Board Chairman Charlie Cole stated that Johnson’s proven leadership is critical to addressing the university’s immediate challenges and securing its long-term viability.