Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

As I recently announced, Provost Isiaah Crawford, PhD, has been named President of the University of Puget Sound. Today, I write to let you know that Bob Dullea, PhD, vice president for University Planning and vice provost, has agreed to serve as Interim Provost. He will begin this role following the completion of Isiaah's service on June 3. I am grateful to the academic leaders of the university whom I consulted in coming to this appointment of Bob.

For more than two decades, Bob has led and continues to lead Seattle University through a number of significant initiatives, including our most recent accreditation process and the formulation of the university's strategic plan for 2013-2018. Currently, he is guiding the comprehensive review of our programs and activities, a process that is critical in positioning us for further success as an institution. I also consider Bob very well-versed in the current state of higher education and Seattle University's place within that landscape. He will provide great continuity, insights and leadership as Interim Provost and help us sustain our forward momentum.

This fall we will launch a national search for a permanent provost, with a view toward welcoming that person into our academic community by July 1, 2017. While expressing his honor to serve in the interim role, Bob has indicated to me that he will not be a candidate for this position. We, of course, will update you on the process of appointing a permanent provost and provide opportunities to engage with the search before and after it gets underway.

In the meantime, please join me in thanking Bob for agreeing to serve in this critical capacity.

Sincerely,

Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J.
President