Skip to main content

Dr. Alan B. Gould, longtime administrator and faculty member, dies at 81

Dr. Alan B. Gould, a longtime faculty member and administrator at Marshall University, passed away early Sunday morning after a long illness.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of Alan’s death,” said Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, president of the university. “He knew this institution better than most, having received two degrees from Marshall and then serving as a faculty member for decades. His knowledge of world history, civic responsibility and the political realm was legendary.  He will be missed.”

Gould served in a number of capacities at Marshall over his more than 45-year career at Marshall, including professor of history, chair of the history department, assistant to the president for special projects, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, provost and executive director of the Drinko Academy. He was also interim president from 1990 to 1991.

He was named an honorary Drinko Fellow in 2016.

Gould, a Huntington East High School graduate, earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from Marshall University, and a Ph.D. in history from West Virginia University.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Nell, and three sons.

Funeral arrangements are pending.