University records show that Howard Wible was the first person to hold the title of vice chancellor and provost at TCU. Courtesy of TCU Archives

The combined title of TCU provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs has an evolving history.

In 1972, the Board of Trustees reorganized the school’s administration. New positions were created, including vice chancellor and provost — the merged position that supervised all “units that lend basic support to the university academic system,” reported a Sept. 5, 1972, article in The Daily Skiff.

University records show that Howard Wible was the first person to hold the title of vice chancellor and provost.

As vice chancellor and dean of TCU, Thomas Brewer was responsible for all instructional programs, academic affairs, graduate studies and research. Courtesy of TCU Archives

Also in this restructuring, Thomas Brewer became vice chancellor and dean of the university, with the responsibilities for all instructional programs, academic affairs, graduate studies and research.

After Brewer left in 1978, Leigh Secrest was the interim vice chancellor and dean of the university. Then William Koehler held the interim position.

In 1981, then-chancellor William Tucker ’56 changed Wible’s title to vice chancellor for student and administrative services. After Wible retired in 1985, the position became two vice chancellorships.

Also in 1981, Tucker named Koehler as vice chancellor for academic affairs. The title of dean of the university was dropped.

Under Chancellor William Tucker ’56, William Koehler was the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Courtesy of TCU Archives

In 1993, the title of provost was added to Koehler’s position, adding student affairs and information services to his job description. Hence, he became provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“A provost is a leader on campus,” Tucker said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

Koehler retired in 2004, and R. Nowell Donovan became provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Donovan was awarded the title of provost emeritus upon his retirement in May 2019.