Interim UC President Beverly Davenport is leaving to become Chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
The university confirmed the appointment Monday afternoon saying President Joe DiPietro will make the official recommendation to UT's Board of Trustees Dec. 15 at a meeting in Nashville.
Pending the board's approval, Davenport will begin March 1, 2017.
Board Chair Rob Richardson says he's confident UC will name a new permanent president in early 2017, most likely before Davenport's departure.
In a release from UC, Davenport says she's grateful for the opportunities she's had at UC. "I have grown to love this institution, this city, and the many colleagues and friends I have come to know. Because of my experience here, I have the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee's flagship campus. I am inspired by their confidence in my abilities to help them reach their goal of becoming a top-tier public research university. I also look forward to the chance to be closer to family."
In a separate statement UT's DiPietro says, "During a comprehensive national search, Dr. Davenport rose to the top of the candidate pool because of her extensive experience and qualifications. She will be an excellent fit as the next leader of UT Knoxville. I'm confident the flagship campus will continue its ascent as a top public research institution under her leadership."
Davenport says, "The excellence and energy on this campus are truly contagious—from record-breaking enrollments to stellar research and innovation programs, to one of the most recognized and respected athletic brands in the nation. UT's story of success is ready to be told in even bigger and bolder ways. I am inspired by their confidence in my abilities to help them reach their goal of becoming a top-tier public research university."
Davenport served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs before being named interim president following the departure of Santa Ono to the University of British Columbia in June, 2016.
In her biography, the University of Cincinnati writes:
During her tenure, Davenport has launched aggressive faculty recruitment initiatives, including a $60 million Cluster Hiring Initiative, a Strategic Hiring Opportunity Program and a Dual Career Assistance Program that has increased the number of women and underrepresented minority faculty. The number of female faculty hired has nearly doubled since she came to the university.
She joined UC in 2013 from Purdue University.
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