Elon University - Office of the Provost

About Dr. Gerald L. Francis
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Gerald L. Francis Dr. Gerald (Gerry) Francis is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Elon University. As provost, he is second in command, responsible for the academic program, admissions and student life.

Francis received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Appalachian State University, where he was a member of the basketball team. He earned his Ph.D. degree in mathematics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech).

He came to Elon College in 1974 as an assistant professor in the department of mathematics. During his tenure, he received the Daniels-Danieley Award as Elon’s most outstanding teacher; and the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics outstanding leadership award. In 1983, he joined the administrative ranks as dean of academic affairs, and was later named vice president of academic affairs before assuming his current position as provost in 1994. In 2002 he received the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools outstanding service award.

Dr. Francis is a native of Arlington, Virginia. He is married and lives in Burlington, North Carolina.