Brenau University named and welcomed its new provost to the Gainesville campus on Friday.

Nancy F. Krippel, dean of adult and graduate studies and associate dean at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., visited with Brenau's board of trustees for the first time since accepting the school's post as its top academic officer. She begins as provost and vice president for academic affairs on July 5.

"Brenau University in its ethos and mission represents all the things that have appealed to me most in life and career," Krippel said. "I feel that this is a good fit and that I will be able to do some good at the university."

Her selection concludes a nationwide search that began in October. A committee of nine faculty and administration members evaluated nearly 170 candidates before choosing Krippel, whose final interview took place two weeks ago.

In addition to Mary Baldwin, Krippel has worked at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., and Barat College in Lake Forest, Ill.

She held various positions at those institutions, including associate provost, director of graduate studies, vice president of academic affairs and associate professor of English.

Krippel, who earned her master's and doctoral degrees in English at Loyola University, Chicago, is replacing Jim Southerland.

A longtime Brenau faculty member, Southerland has served as provost since January 2009 and will continue on at the university in a semi-retirement teaching and support role.