President Bob Bell and First Lady Gloria Bell hosted a cookout at Walton House Wednesday evening for members of the Executive Advisory Committee to welcome our three new vice presidents — Claire Stinson, vice president for Business and Fiscal Affairs; Mark Hutchins, vice president for University Advancement; and Susan Elkins, vice president for Extended Programs and Regional Development.

President Bell with our three newest vice presidents, from left, Susan Elkins, Claire Stinson and Mark Hutchins.

President Bell also used the evening to honor the dedication and hard work of Linda Maxwell and Tom Hamilton, who served a year as interim vice presidents for Business and Fiscal Affairs and University Advancement, respectively.

"These two have spent the year stepping up and filling an important gap," said Bell. "They both did an outstanding job in their roles, and I am deeply appreciative of all they have done."

And President Bell with associate vice presidents Tom Hamilton and Linda Maxwell.

Maxwell and Hamilton, both previously associate vice presidents, took over as interim vice presidents for one year while the university conducted nationwide searches to fill the vice president positions. They have since returned to their roles as associate vice presidents.