The title for the senior academic administrator, just below the president of the University, has varied over time. The titles of Vice President and/or Dean of the College were in use from 1891 to 1955. James Harvey Hays served as Vice President during President Zachariah Xenophon Snyder's entire term of office, 1891-1915. In some of the college catalogs, Hays was listed as Vice President and Dean of the College. Upon the death of President Snyder in 1915, Hays became the Acting President from November 11, 1915 to late summer 1916 and Ethan Allen Cross the Acting Dean of the College. In some of the Board of Trustees minutes, Hays was referred to as "Dean Hays." John Grant Crabbe, who served as President of the college from late summer 1916 until his death in 1924, discontinued the position of Vice President. Instead, he created the title of Dean of the College. It appears that Ethan Allen Cross served as Dean of the College or Acting Dean of the College between 1916 and 1926. President George W. Frasier once again created the title of Vice President with Ethan Allen Cross serving in the position from 1926 until fall 1931. The Board of Trustees approved recommendations by Dr. George W. Frasier for fall 1931 that Dr. E. A. Cross be relieved of the office of Vice President and continue as head of the Department of English and Literature and Dr. W. D. Armentrout be made Vice President. Winfield Dockery Armentrout served as Vice President from 1931 until 1955. The "title of vice president of the college" was discontinued after Dr. Armentrout's retirement in 1955. Beginning in 1956, Donald Decker held the title of Director of Instruction, then became Dean of the College in 1959 and Provost in 1971. Frank Lakin began his term as Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1971, which changed to Vice President of the University and Dean of Academic Services in 1975, then to Vice President for Academic Administration in 1976 and back to Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1979. The title Vice President for Academic Affairs was used somewhat consistently after 1981. In the early 1990’s, James E. Walker served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and also held the position of Provost. The same designations were held by Howard Skinner in an interim capacity, 1991-92. Following Roslyn Elms’ 1992-94 term as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Stephen Hulbert became Senior Vice President then Provost. When Roger Kovar became Vice President for Academic Affairs, he pointed out, “The position that I am taking is the vice president position, not provost.” This statement acknowledged that while one individual might concurrently hold both titles, the job duties were in fact separate. (The Mirror, June 22, 1994) Marlene Strathe (1998-2003) and Allen Huang (2003-2011) served as both Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Abe Harraf (2007-2011) held the titles of Provost and Senior Academic Vice President. Robbyn Wacker then served from 2011-2017 as Provost and Senior Vice President, followed by Theo Kalikow in an interim capacity. In 2019, Mark Anderson became provost and chief academic officer (CAO).