Apr 9, 2021
Robert Scott Beard was born on August 24, 1964, and passed away on March 28, 2021.
Dr. Beard was the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shepherd University and was a nationally recognized pianist, teacher, clinician, author and recording artist. Before becoming Provost at Shepherd, he served the university in several positions, including Professor of Piano, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Provost.
Scott, as he was known, was born in Richmond, Virginia to Charles Beard and Carolyn Elizabeth (Toler) Beard, and raised in Rockville, Virginia. He showed musical talent early and began his piano studies with regional teachers Judith Ross and later Judith Siegel. He graduated as salutatorian of his class at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia, where he was an honors student across all disciplines, a Talented and Gifted Student, and a participant in numerous fine arts activities in the school, county and