Jack Thomas (academic)

Jack Thomas
Education	Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D) Virginia State University (M.Ed.) Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (B.A.)
Occupation	University president
Years active	2011-present
Employer	Western Illinois University
Title	President
Term	2011-present
Predecessor	Alvin Goldfarb
Spouse	Linda
Children	Patrick, Darius

Jack Thomas is the 11th President of Western Illinois University (WIU). He was named to the position January 18, 2011, and took office July 1. He succeeded Alvin Goldfarb upon Goldfarb's retirement.

Prior to his appointment as university president, Thomas held the post of provost and academic vice president at WIU, beginning in 2008. Before joining WIU, he held the positions of senior vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean at Middle Tennessee State University; as well as academic posts at University of Maryland Eastern Shore and South Carolina State University. Before joining WIU, he held the positions of senior vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean at Middle Tennessee State University.

Thomas earned his Ph.D. in English Literature and Criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1990; his M.Ed. in English Education from Virginia State University in 1984; and his B.A. in English from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1983.

Thomas and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Patrick and Darius.