Campus Currents

President Hart at Thompson Hall

After four years at the helm of UNH, President Ann Weaver Hart has accepted a position as president of Temple University in Philadelphia. Chosen by the Temple search committee from an initial field of more than 100 nominees, she was one of eight finalists.

"While I am thrilled about this opportunity," Hart said after the May 4 announcement, "it is bittersweet, as I will be leaving terrific and talented colleagues, faculty, staff and students at UNH. We have accomplished a tremendous amount together."

During her tenure at UNH, Hart has raised the level of excellence at the university, both in and out of the classroom, according to Andy Lietz, chairman of the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees, and USNH chancellor Stephen Reno. "She has expanded the research capabilities and capacity of the institution, built an inclusive university community, attracted highly qualified faculty and enhanced the positive visibility of UNH," said Reno. "Temple University will benefit from Dr. Hart's skills, experience and wisdom," said Lietz, "and the entire university system community wishes her the best."

Reno and Lietz cited a number of major accomplishments Hart achieved during her tenure, including a substantial increase in sponsored research grants and contracts from $86.2 million in 2003 to more than $108 million in the last fiscal year; initiatives to promote a more responsible student culture; a doubling of the number of students of color enrolled at UNH in the past five years; an increase in private fund raising in support of research and student scholarships from $12 million to $14 million last year; and improvements to academic and residential facilities.

J. Bonnie Newman was named interim president. A former executive dean of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Newman is now a corporate director. At UNH, she served as interim dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics from 1998-1999, dean of students from 1972-1978 and assistant dean of students from 1969-1972. Edward Dupont Jr. '72, vice chair of the USNH board, will lead a national search committee with the goal of having a new UNH president in office by January 2007.

 Easy to print version