Provost Announcement
March 10, 2010Dear Carolina community:
I know that it's spring break and you likely won't get this email until next week, but I wanted to let you know that we have a new Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. I'm thrilled to tell you that Bruce Carney, our current interim provost, has agreed to take the position permanently. The appointment is pending approval by the Board of Trustees later this month.
As you know, the search committee brought three excellent candidates to campus for public lectures and Q&A. But ultimately, there just wasn't a match. Rather than reopening the search, we prevailed upon Bruce to stay in his role. When he took on the interim role, he had made it clear thathe wasn't interested in the position permanently. But fortunately for us, he was willing to reconsider. Not only has he come to enjoy the job, but we've come to rely on him. He's done an outstanding job, and appointing him allows us to continue moving forward without skipping a beat.
Through the years Bruce, who is the Samuel Baron Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, has held a number of key leadership roles at Carolina. Most recently he was interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also has been associate dean, overseeing a dozen academic departments and programs in the sciences. He's been a member of the faculty since 1980.
The executive vice chancellor and provost has a big job, overseeing all academic operations, including 13 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences, the University Library, a variety of centers and several cultural and educational units. And Bruce has clearly shown he's up to the task.
I want to thank the search committee. National searches are hard work, and they are a big investment of time. In this case, we found our best candidate right here.
Please join me in congratulating Bruce.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp