Todd Selects IU Administrator as UK’s Second Provost
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2006) – University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd
Jr. today announced that he has selected Kumble R. Subbaswamy to serve as UK’s second
provost.
Subbaswamy, who will begin his work at UK this summer, is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., a position he has held since 2000. Previously, he served in the same capacity at the University of Miami. For nearly 20 years, he was a faculty member, department chairman in physics and astronomy and administrator in the College of Arts and Sciences at UK.
“I am very excited that an academic leader the caliber of Dr. Subbaswamy has accepted this offer,” Todd said. “The provost position is one of the most important on our campus, leading the academic efforts of the entire institution.
Dr. Subbaswamy comes to us with a deep understanding for – and love of – this institution, combined with a record of excellence at other leading universities.”
As provost, Subbaswamy will serve as the university’s chief academic officer, overseeing the work of UK’s 16 colleges, its libraries and the graduate school.
“I feel truly honored and excited to be returning to UK in an academic leadership position at this critical juncture in its history,” Subbaswamy said. “As a ‘complete’ university—a flagship land grant university with an on-campus medical school—UK has the opportunity to be a national model for the expanded role a public university of the 21st century should play in the state, nation, and the world.
“It will be a privilege to work with an extraordinary leader like Dr. Todd with his penchant for excellence, far-sighted vision, unbounded energy, and infectious enthusiasm. Lexington is where I have spent the most time in my life, and both my children were born there. My family and I are looking forward eagerly to return to our ’old Kentucky home!’”
UK recently unveiled its Top 20 Business Plan, a 15-year financial plan that lays out in detail the goals the university needs to achieve to become a Top 20 public research institution. Among other things, the plan anticipates increases of more than 600 faculty and about 7,000 students over the next 14 years.
Subbaswamy, who will begin his work at UK this summer, is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., a position he has held since 2000. Previously, he served in the same capacity at the University of Miami. For nearly 20 years, he was a faculty member, department chairman in physics and astronomy and administrator in the College of Arts and Sciences at UK.
“I am very excited that an academic leader the caliber of Dr. Subbaswamy has accepted this offer,” Todd said. “The provost position is one of the most important on our campus, leading the academic efforts of the entire institution.
Dr. Subbaswamy comes to us with a deep understanding for – and love of – this institution, combined with a record of excellence at other leading universities.”
As provost, Subbaswamy will serve as the university’s chief academic officer, overseeing the work of UK’s 16 colleges, its libraries and the graduate school.
“I feel truly honored and excited to be returning to UK in an academic leadership position at this critical juncture in its history,” Subbaswamy said. “As a ‘complete’ university—a flagship land grant university with an on-campus medical school—UK has the opportunity to be a national model for the expanded role a public university of the 21st century should play in the state, nation, and the world.
“It will be a privilege to work with an extraordinary leader like Dr. Todd with his penchant for excellence, far-sighted vision, unbounded energy, and infectious enthusiasm. Lexington is where I have spent the most time in my life, and both my children were born there. My family and I are looking forward eagerly to return to our ’old Kentucky home!’”
UK recently unveiled its Top 20 Business Plan, a 15-year financial plan that lays out in detail the goals the university needs to achieve to become a Top 20 public research institution. Among other things, the plan anticipates increases of more than 600 faculty and about 7,000 students over the next 14 years.
As provost, Subbaswamy will help guide those efforts, while also
helping direct the university’s initiatives to increase diversity among students, faculty
and staff.
Subbaswamy will officially assume duties on July 1, 2006, however, he will be spending several days on campus between now and this summer, familiarizing himself with the position.
At IU, Subbaswamy led efforts significantly to increase fundraising in the College of Arts and Sciences while doubling the amount of grants and contracts. He also helped start several new undergraduate programs and increased collaborative efforts, including programs with IU’s colleges of medicine, law and business.
Interim Provost Scott Smith will continue to serve as provost until Subbaswamy assumes the position. Smith will then return full-time to his position as dean of the College of Agriculture.
Subbaswamy’s selection is the culmination of a nearly nine-month search process. A search committee, led by Graduate School Dean Jeannine Blackwell and Dr. Fred DeBeer, chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine, reviewed applicants and recommended finalists for the position.
Subbaswamy visited UK over two days in December, meeting with faculty, students, staff and deans. Todd said the feedback from that visit and Subbaswamy’s interaction with a broad spectrum of people on campus was overwhelmingly positive.
“We had an outstanding pool of candidates, reflecting both the excellent work of our search committee and the attractiveness of this institution at a time when it is striving to become one of America’s top public research institutions,” Todd said. “Dr. Subbaswamy was clearly the top choice of everyone involved. We are excited about the leadership and skills he will bring to the table in helping to lead this institution forward during exciting and challenging times.”
Subbaswamy will officially assume duties on July 1, 2006, however, he will be spending several days on campus between now and this summer, familiarizing himself with the position.
At IU, Subbaswamy led efforts significantly to increase fundraising in the College of Arts and Sciences while doubling the amount of grants and contracts. He also helped start several new undergraduate programs and increased collaborative efforts, including programs with IU’s colleges of medicine, law and business.
Interim Provost Scott Smith will continue to serve as provost until Subbaswamy assumes the position. Smith will then return full-time to his position as dean of the College of Agriculture.
Subbaswamy’s selection is the culmination of a nearly nine-month search process. A search committee, led by Graduate School Dean Jeannine Blackwell and Dr. Fred DeBeer, chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine, reviewed applicants and recommended finalists for the position.
Subbaswamy visited UK over two days in December, meeting with faculty, students, staff and deans. Todd said the feedback from that visit and Subbaswamy’s interaction with a broad spectrum of people on campus was overwhelmingly positive.
“We had an outstanding pool of candidates, reflecting both the excellent work of our search committee and the attractiveness of this institution at a time when it is striving to become one of America’s top public research institutions,” Todd said. “Dr. Subbaswamy was clearly the top choice of everyone involved. We are excited about the leadership and skills he will bring to the table in helping to lead this institution forward during exciting and challenging times.”