Regent Honors and Remembers Former Provost George Selig

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (July 31, 2023) – Regent University mourns the loss of Dr. William George Selig, a former Dean, Provost, and Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership at Regent University. He passed away on July 29, 2023.

“George was a leader, teacher, colleague, and friend to thousands of people in the U.S. and in many other countries,” said Dr. Alan Arroyo, Professor Emeritus at the Regent University School of Education “His love of God, family, friends, students, and coworkers was evident in his humor, prayers, compassion, and actions. His impact on Regent University, which he loved, is legendary.”

George came to Regent in 1980 as a founding professor of special education. He served Regent University in several capacities including Dean of the School of Education and Counseling (1983-88), and Provost of Regent University (1989-2000). His leadership in the formative years of the university contributed to the founding and development of several schools, the launch of distance learning programs, and the expansion of the number and types of degrees offered. In 2000, he returned to his first love, teaching. He became a Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership in 2002 and held that position until his retirement in 2020. He was subsequently named Professor Emeritus in 2020, a position which he held the remainder of his life.

George was born on September 25, 1938, in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, son of George Oliver Selig and Minerva Junuetta Brand Goodale. He held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Center Washington State College and a Doctor of Education from University of Massachusetts. He was married to Judith Margaret Sprague in 1964 and had two daughters, Cheryl, and Cynthia.

Many of the early initiatives, programs, accreditations, and distance education initiatives at Regent were inspired and led by Dr. Selig, especially during his 11-year tenure as Provost. As a Dean and Professor, students and faculty alike were amazed by his knowledge, wisdom, and emphasis on right relationships. While he will be sorely missed, his legacy will live on.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with more than 13,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 11 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2023).

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