Appointment of Interim Chancellor of the Newark Campus

October 27, 2011

Members of the Rutgers Community:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Philip L. Yeagle, currently dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at Rutgers–Newark, as interim chancellor of the Rutgers–Newark Campus, effective December 24, 2011. Dr. Yeagle will serve as interim chancellor until the next president appoints the permanent chancellor.

Now in his fifth year as dean of FAS in Newark, Dr. Yeagle has provided strong leadership for the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and University College, which together enroll 60 percent of Rutgers–Newark's undergraduates. Rutgers–Newark Arts and Sciences is the second largest academic unit in the entire university.

Under Dean Yeagle, Newark Arts and Sciences developed a new academic plan that became the basis for increased external funding, greater diversity among the faculty, improved student advising, renewed strength in scientific research, and a new undergraduate curriculum. While he has been dean, a number of its graduate programs have gained in national rankings, including the M.F.A. in creative writing and the Ph.D. programs in psychology, mathematics, and chemistry. In addition, annual private support has more than tripled, going from $325,000 to $1.1 million in four years.

Before coming to Rutgers in 2007, Phil spent 10 years as professor and head of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. He began his academic career at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, after earning his Ph.D. at Duke University in the area of membrane structure and function, a field in which he has authored more than 150 articles and seven books.

Dr. Yeagle's appointment comes at a critical time for the Rutgers–Newark Campus, whose importance to Rutgers University and to New Jersey is greater than ever. The growth of enrollment, of facilities, of civic engagement, and of excellent educational programs—covering the arts and sciences, law, business, criminal justice, nursing, public affairs, and graduate studies—is most impressive, and will now benefit from Phil Yeagle's leadership.

As Phil prepares to become interim chancellor, I hope you will give him your support in working to ensure a strong future for Rutgers–Newark.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey