MOUNT OLIVE- The University of Mount Olive Board of Trustees has appointed former Johnston County School Superintendent Dr. Ed Croom as their interim president. Dr. Croom will replace Dr. David Poole who resigned from the University of Mount Olive effective February 27th to pursue new opportunities. Earl W. Worley, Jr., Board Chair stated, “On the behalf the University, I would like to wish Dr. and Mrs. Poole the best of success in all future endeavors.”
The University of Mount Olive Board of Trustees selected Dr. Croom to serve as Interim President effective immediately. Dr. Croom’s career in education spans more than 30 years. Dr. Croom most recently served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the University of Mount Olive. Previously, Dr. Croom served as Superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools, overseeing the seventh largest school district in North Carolina with more than 34,000 students.
Dr. Croom has also served as an Educational Consultant for many school districts and provided training for many school leaders. Dr. Croom and his family are members of the Pleasant Hill Original Free Will Baptist Church, where he serves on the Board of Deacons and is a Sunday School Teacher. Dr. Croom has served as Chair of the Original Free Will Baptist Strategic Planning Committee and presently serves as a Board Member for the Original Free Will Baptist Children’s Home.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has education service centers in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, and Washington.
