ISSUED: 26 February 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University Board of Governors today announced the selection of Dr. Cameron B. Wesson as the University’s 17th president.
Wesson brings over 30 years of experience in higher education, including a decade of academic leadership. He previously served as provost and dean of the faculty at Franklin & Marshall College before joining La Salle University in 2023 as provost and vice president for academic affairs, overseeing all academic programs, personnel, and operations.
“We are pleased that Dr. Wesson has accepted the offer to serve as the University’s next president,” said Dr. James M. Cherry, chair of the Board of Governors. “His diverse academic and administrative background will ensure the University continues its momentum to expand opportunities for students with new programs, innovative resources, and unique experiences.”
Austin J. Slater, Jr., chair of the presidential search committee and vice-chair of the Board of Governors, agreed, noting that Dr. Wesson engaged with students, faculty, staff, and the community during the interview process.
“Dr. Wesson spent time listening to all of the stakeholders, and we are excited about what he brings to the University in terms of enthusiasm, innovation, and development,” Slater said. “Shepherd University will continue its pivotal role as an academic, cultural, and community hub under his leadership.”
Slater thanked members of the presidential search committee for their work, along with the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members who participated in the selection process.
“We had a large pool of candidates to consider,” he said. “We moved thoughtfully but expeditiously, mindful of the competitiveness for the great candidates who were our finalists. This process was successful thanks in large part to the commitment of the search committee and the support of the Shepherd community.”
Wesson said joining Shepherd University will be an incredible opportunity.
“I am honored to serve as the 17th president of Shepherd University,” Wesson said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated faculty and staff as we prepare our remarkable students with the skills and education they’ve come to expect from the University. I am excited to collaborate with the entire Shepherd community to continue enhancing our academic rigor and the student experience as we prepare for the future of higher education.”
Wesson earned a B.S. in architecture and environmental design and a B.A. in anthropology from Auburn University, then completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
An archaeologist by training, Wesson has held faculty and administrative positions at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Vermont, and Lehigh University, where he also redesigned undergraduate advising systems that contributed to record first-to-second-year retention in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Wesson’s scholarly work includes books, journal articles, and archaeological research projects spanning North America and the United Kingdom, reflecting sustained contributions to the field over three decades. He is also completing coursework toward an MBA at Lehigh University.
Wesson will assume his new role on July 1, 2026.
Established in 1871, Shepherd University is a premier public university grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, offering a diverse portfolio of baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs along with minors, certificates, and other educational credentials. The University fields 13 NCAA Division II athletic teams and offers more than 100 clubs and organizations, many with a strong emphasis on student community service.
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