John M. Beehler- 2015-2019

President Beehler began his presidency in 2015 under the theme of “JSU TIES – Transformative, Innovative and Engaged for Success” and proceeded to develop an aggressive strategic plan collaboratively with all university constituents. Following this plan, significant progress has been made along all dimensions and across all divisions. Three new major buildings have been constructed: the Recreation and Fitness Center, the Jim Case Baseball Stadium and the Jim Bennett Marching Southerners Practice Field. Over four years, enrollment substantially increased, Academic Affairs was reorganized into six schools, faculty tenure and promotion policies were revised, community engagement across JSU’s 11 county region was substantially increased, and the three largest gifts in JSU history were received totaling over $16M. In addition, President Beehler led the rapid recovery and rebuilding efforts from the devastating EF-3 tornado that substantially damaged virtually all the buildings on campus on March 19, 2018, causing in excess of $100M in damages. This represented the largest damage to state property in the history of Alabama. Replacement of the destroyed College of Business and Industry and College of Health Professions and Wellness buildings with new state-of-the-art facilities are planned and have been approved.