The University of Texas at Austin is special. We are a flagship university in a great state with global reach, continuously delivering on our core mission to transform lives for the benefit of society. Each of us who serve and learn here has the rare opportunity to contribute our time and talents to shape a better future. My father was a UT faculty member, and my mother is a UT graduate and pioneer in the early Austin tech industry. I am the husband of a UT alumna, a Texas Parent and a graduate myself. I have witnessed and experienced the tremendous impact of this great University my entire life.
I am honored by the opportunity to serve our University as Interim President. It is a tremendous privilege and solemn duty to carry forward our uncompromising commitment to excellence for our students, faculty, staff, patients, parents, alumni and the people of Texas. I am immeasurably grateful for the trust and support of UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, the members of our Board of Regents and UT System Chancellor James Milliken.
Leading a university well has always been a team effort. I thank our deans, vice presidents and the entire University leadership team for their support and their deep commitment to our University. I also owe a special debt of gratitude to President Jay Hartzell for bringing out the best in me and to President Greg Fenves for inviting me to join the University leadership team.
As we continue building on our academic and research mission, I have asked David Vanden Bout, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, to serve as Interim Provost. During more than 27 years at UT Austin, David has earned the trust of our faculty and deans. His academic leadership and deep experience on the frontier of science greatly enhances our broad teaching and research mission. I want to express my thanks to Provost Rachel Davis Mersey for her many contributions as a leader and faculty member.
There is no doubt that we continue to have tremendous opportunities for excellence ahead, and achieving our best outcomes requires our best collective effort. But as Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, “The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.” We build the future from a foundation of tremendous strength. The unrivaled talent of our students, the experience and creativity of our faculty, researchers and staff, and the enduring commitment of our alumni and supporters have always been our greatest power.
Together, we are The University of Texas at Austin, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
