Weindorf Joins Georgia Southern as New Vice President for Research and Economic Development
David Weindorf, Ph.D., P.G. has been selected as the new vice president for Research and Economic Development at Georgia Southern University. He reports to Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D.
“David brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience with him, and it’s been exciting to watch how he’s already working to transform the Office of Research and take it to the next level,” says Reiber.
A seasoned leader in research, Weindorf says he navigates life by not seeing obstacles as challenges but as welcome opportunities for growth and expansion. He wants to bring that perspective to the University’s research efforts.
Previously, he served as the vice president for Research and Innovation at Central Michigan University, a role he held since 2020. During his time at CMU, he saw a significant 145% rise in external grant funding, a notable 24% growth in academic achievements, and a remarkable 78% surge in the impact of research endeavors.
Leaving his post while celebrating such successful metrics would be strange for some. But Weindorf, who is originally from Texas, sees not only potential in southeast Georgia’s economic development, but also in its people.
“The inspiration for me to join Georgia Southern stems from the university’s people, its vision, and the energy on campus – truly, I can feel it everywhere,” he said. “Georgia Southern is a University with a rich history of achievement which now finds itself in the middle of a region filled with economic development and growth. Today, Georgia is not just home to local residents. Rather, it’s a destination drawing students, researchers, innovators and investors from across the U.S. and around the world. Georgia Southern will always uphold its strong commitment to education, even as it evolves to become a Carnegie R1 institution on its own terms with deference to the people, culture and values that make southeast Georgia unlike any other place on earth.”
Weindorf started his career in 2001 as a soil scientist at Tarleton State University in Texas. Following that, he moved on to Louisiana State University in 2007 and continued teaching and research there until 2013. At that point, he moved to his alma mater at Texas Tech University to serve as the BL Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology, eventually moving up to become associate vice president before joining CMU in 2020.
Weindorf has received several awards for his work, including being a Fulbright scholar and a recipient of the Presidential Award of the Soil Science Society of America. His dedication to environmental protection and expertise in soil science have made him a valuable asset in addressing such emergencies as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Gold King Mine disaster. His background has proven to be particularly transferable from professor to engaged leader.
“In my first few weeks engaging across our campuses, I have met so many amazing people who are literally redefining excellence in higher education with their collective work each day. As vice president for Research and Economic Development, one of my signature goals is to grow the research enterprise and supportive infrastructure,” says Weindorf.
To do that, Weindorf has a plan. First, he and his office will build upon the solid foundation established and work to optimize research enterprise performance by eliminating pinch points and streamlining processes for efficient operation.
Second, they will invest in seed funding, start-up packages and new programming to set faculty, staff and students up for success. Along with that, they will be faithful partners in coming together to solve the challenges, both known and unknown in support of research enhancement.
They will grow economic development opportunities between the university, local communities and investors. They will also integrate new tools into the toolbelt of the modern research enterprise, and uphold Georgia Southern faculty, staff and students in their research, scholarly and creative pursuits, offering recognition and communicating their excellence to the region, the nation and the world. — Amber Houston