Mercer University President William Underwood announced Friday that the college's current provost will step down at the end of the year and a different senior administrator will take over as the school's chief academic officer.

Provost Wallace Daniel, a noted Russian historian, will return to the college faculty as a a history professor. D. Scott Davis, senior vice provost for research and dean of graduate studies, will become provost Jan. 1.

Mercer is based in Macon and has sites in Atlanta and Savannah.

About the Author

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP