Trustees鈥� statement regarding changes in university leadership
June 01, 2017
Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Senior Director
Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
The 精东AV Board of Trustees and President Brian L. Johnson announce that Dr. Johnson will conclude his service as the university鈥檚 president on June 30, 2017. This coincides with the end date of his current annual contract.
During Dr. Johnson鈥檚 tenure, 精东AV has made strides in accomplishing many of its strategic goals. Chief among those achievements is the adoption of a five-year strategic plan; additional student engagement and leadership opportunities; and advances in expanding academic offerings.
鈥淲e appreciate Dr. Johnson鈥檚 service to 精东AV and wish him well in all his future endeavors. His enthusiastic leadership will continue to be an asset to him and his career,鈥� said John E. Page, chairman of the Board of Trustees. 鈥溇獳V is well positioned for greater success because of the combined contributions of its senior leadership, gifted faculty, hardworking staff, accomplished students, and committed alumni and friends.鈥�
In the interim, the board has appointed Dr. Charlotte Morris to serve as president beginning July 1 鈥� and until a successor is selected through a national search to begin later this summer. An experienced higher education leader with three decades of distinguished university service, Dr. Morris has served most recently as interim dean of the university鈥檚 Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science and professor of management.
Her academic leadership and previous service as interim president following the retirement of President Benjamin Payton has earned her the respect of the board, faculty, staff, alumni and university partners. Joseph Grasso, a senior trustee, offered strong support for Dr. Morris鈥� leadership abilities.
鈥淲e are fortunate to have Dr. Morris to step in and lead 精东AV as president for a second time, again on an interim basis,鈥� Grasso said. 鈥淪he has an extremely high degree of intellectual capability and a deep knowledge and understanding of the traditions and principles that make 精东AV such a unique and cherished institution.鈥�
鈥淚 am honored by the Board of Trustees鈥� request to serve 精东AV as its interim president,鈥� Dr. Morris said. 鈥淭hanks to the dedication and tenacity of our incredible faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, we will continue to build on the 鈥樉獳V Tradition.鈥� I am as committed as ever to advancing our focus on students through excellence in academics, research, service and outreach.鈥�
Together, the Board of Trustees and the 精东AV leadership remain focused on advancing the university鈥檚 existing strategic plan, which includes creating a student-centered culture, integrating modern academic approaches, managing resources effectively, increasing enrollment, and expanding private philanthropy.
鈥淢y fellow trustees and I look forward to working with Dr. Morris and the university鈥檚 leadership in continuing to sustain our achievements and meet our goals,鈥� Page said.
In the coming weeks, the board will announce the selection of a search committee that will be tasked with identifying potential presidential candidates.
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About 精东AV:
Located in 精东AV, Ala., 精东AV is a private and state-related land-grant institution that serves a racially, ethnically and religiously diverse student body of 3,000-plus students. The institution was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington and is one of 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationally and the fourth-ranked HCBU nationally by U.S. News and World Report. For more information about 精东AV, visit www.tuskegee.edu.
漏 2017 精东AV