Wichita State promotes Eric Sexton to VP Student Affairs, Executive Director of Athletics; Darron Boatright named deputy director of Athletics
Sexton's appointment was announced Tuesday by President John Bardo and Provost and Senior Vice President Tony Vizzini.
Bardo said: "Eric was born a Shocker. He has a passion for our students, deep connections to faculty, staff and alumni and great capacity for listening and learning. Tony Vizzini and I are pleased that Eric has agreed to help lead the implementation of WSU's strategy to improve the quality of student life."
Vizzini said: "Dr. Sexton brings a student-centered vision that the collegiate experience must provide meaningful student engagement with academic opportunities to prepare them to participate in the innovation economy. From teaching to government relations to athletics, Eric has demonstrated thoughtfulness, organizational ability and people skills that set him apart. In his new role, he'll have a great impact on the long-term success of the university."
The Division of Student Affairs that Sexton will lead includes responsibility for all student activities, residence halls, the Rhatigan Student Center, campus recreation, Student Health Services, diversity programs, counseling and testing, Child Development Center, dining services and numerous other operations.
Sexton said: "My mother, my father, my wife Kathy and I have all attended WSU and our lives were changed for the better and forever because of it. I've loved my seven years as Athletic Director and I'm grateful to the coaches, athletes, donors and staff who have made this a fulfilling experience. I'm looking forward to continuing my work with athletics and energized by this added opportunity to become deeply involved in all facets of student engagement with the university."
He will succeed Wade Robinson as vice president for student affairs.
Bardo and Sexton said that Darron Boatright, who has been senior associate director for external operations since joining WSU in 2011, is being promoted to a new position, deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. Boatright will have responsibility for the daily business of the department, reporting to Sexton.
When Sexton graduated from WSU, he took a job selling computers for IBM. Three years later, in 1990, he returned to campus as assistant to President Warren Armstrong, handling government relations. In 1997 he was promoted to executive director of government relations and board of trustees. He was named athletic director in 2008. He has also taught political science courses at WSU.
Sexton graduated from WSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1987 and a Master of Public Administration in 1992. He earned a PhD in political science in 2002 from the University of Kansas. He is the son of Shocker football legend Linwood, and the late Delores Sexton, of rural Halstead.