April 30, 2020
Dear UT Community,
Earlier this month, Chairman Kevin Eltife of the UT System Board of Regents and Chancellor James B. Milliken announced that Jay Hartzell — Dean of the McCombs School of Business — will serve as interim President of The University of Texas at Austin. I am writing to let you know that Dean Hartzell will begin in that role on June 1.
Jay and I have been working together since the announcement to prepare for this transition. As interim President, Jay will build on his long tenure at UT, where he has displayed exemplary leadership across campus and, especially during this COVID-19 crisis, has shown incredible empathy for our community members. He will be an outstanding leader for the university.
I previously announced that Vice President for Research Dan Jaffe will serve as interim Executive Vice President and Provost upon Provost Maurie McInnis’ departure to become President of SUNY Stony Brook. Dan will begin in that role on Monday, May 4.
Additionally, on May 4, Professor Alison Preston will become interim Vice President for Research and, on June 1, Professor Lillian Mills will become interim Dean of the McCombs School of Business.
I am proud to see these distinguished leaders answer the call at a critical time. I know that they will excel, and UT will be in great hands moving forward.
And as I look back on my 12 years at this extraordinary university, I am grateful for the many wonderful colleagues I’ve worked with and the thousands of students who brought our campus to life each year. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your president — to learn from you, to further UT’s mission and to see our students, faculty and staff change the world.
Sincerely,
Gregory L. Fenves
President