CU Denver chancellor search to continue

The search for CU Denver’s next chancellor continues.

CU President Bruce Benson said Wednesday that the recently concluded search process “did not produce a candidate with the vast support necessary to lead CU Denver into the future.”

Benson updated the CU Denver campus community in an email communication sent Wednesday afternoon.

“This position is critical for the campus and we must do our best to ensure that we have the right person leading CU Denver,” Benson wrote. “We must work to keep the momentum going and finding the right leader is critical to the future of the campus.”

A new search process will get underway in the fall; Benson said the goal is to have a new chancellor in place in spring 2016.

Benson thanked all who participated in the recent search process and who provided feedback, which helped inform his decision.

During the interim, Chancellor Jerry Wartgow will continue in his role. Because previously scheduled commitments will take Wartgow away from campus this summer, Provost Roderick Nairn agreed to serve as acting chancellor between July 1 and Sept. 30. Wartgow will return as chancellor from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

“We have many challenges and opportunities facing the campus this year. I am pleased to have both Jerry and Rod act in these roles to ensure that the momentum of the campus moves forward on all fronts,” Benson wrote.

“CU Denver is on the rise. In the past five years we have opened a new Science Building, a Business School Building, and the Student Commons Building. We are well on our way to building a new Student Wellness Center, and I am committed to helping the campus complete a major renovation of the North Classroom. In addition, the state has now funded a major renovation of the (Auraria) Library. Our enrollment continues to grow and is more diverse than ever. A talented group of faculty leads our strong academic, research and creative programs. The campus is serving our students and community and state with distinction. CU Denver is well-positioned for the future.”