Dear Colleagues, 

Today is a significant day for the Temple University community as Elizabeth (Libby) Wentz officially begins her tenure as senior vice president and provost. 

Her arrival comes at an important time as we continue to build momentum through the implementation of our strategic plan, Forward with Purpose. Libby is an experienced academic leader with an extensive background in the areas of strategic planning, faculty affairs, student success and community impact. She also has a unique understanding of the important role played by public research universities in urban environments, which will make her presence here on North Broad Street even more impactful. 

Over the last several months, I have spent time with Libby, as she has been hard at work preparing for the transition to both Temple and Philadelphia. Many of you met her in May when she joined us at our universitywide Commencement ceremony.  

Libby’s enthusiasm for Temple is palpable, and I am excited for her to have the opportunity to work alongside all of you. She is the right person to lead Temple’s academic enterprise during this pivotal time in our history. 

I also want to thank David Boardman, who has done such important work as interim provost during this past year. He has become a trusted colleague, and I am deeply grateful for his thoughtful, collaborative approach while serving as our chief academic officer. David was able to accomplish a tremendous amount in his short tenure as interim provost. In addition to leading the development of Forward with Purpose, he quickly established eight task forces made up of faculty and staff from across the university for key initiatives that will be critical to our future work, including Artificial Intelligence, a new Budget Model, Faculty Policies and Practices, General Education Reform, Global Strategy, Honors College, Online Initiative, and Transfer Strategy. The work of these task forces has provided a significant jump start on the successful execution of our strategic plan.  

Additionally, David played a key role in working with Klein alum Jane Sullivan on her transformational gift to establish the Jane Creamer Sullivan and Thomas J. Sullivan Honors College.  

Perhaps most importantly, David led the hiring of several key roles in the provost’s portfolio, including the Kean Family Dean at the Beasley School of Law, the dean of the College of Engineering, the vice provost for undergraduate education and the vice president for enrollment management.  

While David will be returning to his role as dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication, incoming Provost Wentz and I have asked him to continue to lead the implementation of our strategic plan as chief strategy officer. Libby and I are very grateful that we will continue to have the benefit of David’s vision and organizational skills.  

In closing, I ask that you all join me in welcoming Libby to Temple and thanking David for his extraordinary contributions during this past year. I am eager to continue to build upon our current momentum as we head toward the start of a new academic year. 

Sincerely, 

John Fry 
President