News Release
April 9, 2010
The University of Evansville is proud to introduce Dr. Thomas A. Kazee as the institution's 23rd president.
Kazee, who currently serves as the Provost and Executive Vice President of Furman University, was chosen for the position after an exhaustive, nationwide search led by UE Trustees Steve Harkness and Barbara Price. The Board of Trustees elected Kazee in a formal vote this morning.
"Throughout this search process, the committee has worked with the singular focus of finding the most qualified candidate to be the next president of the University of Evansville," said Niel Ellerbrook, chair of the UE Board of Trustees. "Dr. Kazee not only understands what needs to happen to take UE to the next level - he has the knowledge, the experience, and the energy and enthusiasm that will be needed to build on the momentum of the last nine years, and to elevate the University of Evansville to an even higher standard of excellence."
Kazee will assume his duties June 1, replacing Dr. Stephen Jennings, who is retiring after nine years as UE President.
"I am extremely excited by this opportunity to lead the University of Evansville into the future," Kazee said. "Today's daunting economic climate has created a critical moment for American higher education - one that, I believe, creates a tremendous opportunity for institutions like UE, because it has underscored the critical need for students to develop the lifelong skills and breadth of understanding best nurtured through an education combining the liberal arts with practical, pre-professional programs.
"I look forward to the challenges that will come as we work to extend the reach and reputation of the University of Evansville, and to become even more effective as we compete for students and resources."
In his seven years at Furman, Kazee has been the chief academic officer, supervising the work of Vice Presidents and Directors in various offices, including Enrollment, Student Life, Computing and Information Services, Sustainability, Grants Administration, and Institutional Research. He served as Acting President during the 2006-07 academic year, and has been directly involved in fundraising for Furman's $400 million capital campaign, "Furman Matters," which has raised $304 million to this point. His efforts have led to substantial donations to support Furman's nationally-recognized Asian Studies program, faculty development activities, and new science technology, as well as two major new scholarship programs, including a $14 million gift from the Duke Endowment to create the Townes Scholars program.
Under his leadership, Furman has invigorated its intellectual community by fundamentally reshaping its curriculum and academic calendar. Implemented in the 2008-09 academic year, elements of the curriculum include innovative new first-year seminars, a unique May Experience program, and substantially revised general education requirements. Tom also led the planning, assisted with fundraising, and oversaw construction of Furman's distinctive new Charles H. Townes Center for Science, dedicated in October 2008.
Prior to his arrival at Furman in 2003, Kazee served for 18 years on the faculty at Davidson College, including a decade as Chair of the Department of Political Science, and four years as Dean of the College at the University of the South (Sewanee). He received a B.A. in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, in 1974, and a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University in 1978.
As the author of numerous journal articles and editor of Who Runs for Congress: Ambition, Context and Candidate Emergence, his work has been influential in shaping an understanding of American congressional election outcomes. A passionate advocate for the liberal arts, Tom won Davidson's prestigious Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award, chaired one of Davidson's most highly regarded academic departments, and served as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative.
Tom is married to Sharon Kazee, the Vice President for Arts and Academics and Dean at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, who is currently completing her doctoral work at the University of South Carolina. They have two children; a daughter, Nicole, who is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and a son, Geoff, who will begin work this summer as a turf management specialist at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland.
For more information, please contact UE Director of News Services Joe Atkinson at (812) 488-2562.
Photos courtesy of Gray Photography
