A time of transition: UT alumnus announced as interim president

Last week, the University of Tennessee President, Dr. Joe DiPietro, announced his upcoming retirement. Today, interim chancellor, Wayne T. Davis sent out an email to students and faculty announcing that Randy Boyd would be the interim president.

The UT Board of Trustees selected Boyd for the position earlier this afternoon. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported on the student protesters that also attended the UT Board of Trustees meeting.

Both Boyd and his wife, Jenny, are alumni of UT and prominent leaders within the Knoxville community. They have donated both time and money into the university over the last few years and served on advisory boards.

“I have no doubt that Randy Boyd loves this university and will work tirelessly to help us succeed,” Davis said.

Boyd is no stranger to higher education as he has worked along with Governor Bill Haslam in creating opportunities for all Tennesseans to receive a college degree. He has also helped launch the community college scholarship programs tnAchieves and Tennessee Promise.

Most recently, Boyd ran as a Republican nominee in the Tennessee gubernatorial election. Boyd lost in the primaries to current Republican nominee Bill Lee.

Currently, UT is still searching for a chancellor. Both DiPietro and Boyd will discuss this issue further during their meeting in Nov. with the Board of Trustees.

“We have tremendous momentum, and I am certain the best is yet to come for our campus and the University of Tennessee System,” Davis said.

Davis asks all to join him in welcoming Boyd back to Rocky Top.

Boyd will officially take office on Nov. 22.

For now, Davis said that the goals of the current administration will remain unchanged.

“We will continue to grow our enrollment, hire new faculty, provide opportunities and resources for our students to succeed, conduct world-class research, and create a welcoming campus for all,” Davis said.

Featured Photo by Chelsea Babin

Edited by Ainsley Kelso