Provost Richard Herman was named interim chancellor at the UI Board of Trustees
meeting June 17 in Chicago.
Herman will assume his new role July 1 and serve until a national search has been completed to find a permanent chancellor. Herman replaces Nancy Cantor, who announced her resignation in the spring to become president of Syracuse University. Herman was recommended by UI President James J. Stukel.
"Richard Herman will provide a strong and steady hand on the tiller to ensure that the Urbana-Champaign campus stays on course in the months to come," Stukel said. "He is
highly respected by those who know him, both on and off campus."
Herman was dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Maryland at College Park from 1990 to 1998. Before that, he chaired the department of mathematics at Pennsylvania State University from 1986 to 1990.
In other business, a report about the search for Stukel's replacement highlighted leadership qualities the search advisory committee is seeking in a new president.
"Leadership is the main quality of the UI president, but it has manyfacets," said Avijit Ghosh,chairman of the presidential search advisory committee and dean of the College
of Business. "Pursuit of excellence is an important core value," Ghosh said.
"The president is the most visible ambassador of this university," he added.
Ghosh said he expects the nomination process to last 40 to 60 days.
In other business, the board approved the appointments of:
• Ronald Yates as dean of the College of Communications.
• Lynette Marshall as vice president of the UI. Foundation and associate chancellor for development for the Urbana-Champaign campus.
• Kathleen Harleman as director of Krannert Art Museum.