A Message from Provost Gillespie
Provost Michele Gillespie announced today that she will step away from her Provost role and return to her role as the Presidential Endowed Professor in Southern History. Read her message to the campus community below, and read President Susan Wente’s message of gratitude.
Dear Wake Forest community:
After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided to step away from serving as your Provost at the end of July, and I have informed President Wente of my decision. While I recognize that there is never a perfect time to make – and announce – a decision and transition such as this, I am a strong believer in transparency and doing it in a way that minimizes disruption.
The reasons behind my decision are many, but ultimately, it comes down to my strong desire to return to my role as the Presidential Endowed Professor in Southern History. I look forward to re-engaging in my research, writing, and teaching. While I have relished my academic administrative work for the last 10 years, serving as Dean of the College and then as Provost, I am eager to return to my academic roots. I first joined Wake Forest as a faculty member in 1999, and while the institution and I have both changed over that time, my passion for our core mission has not.
I leave the Provost Office incredibly proud of the excellence and cohesiveness of the Provost Office team, of our remarkable Deans, and of our collective academic accomplishments. I have every confidence that these amazing teams will carry on with distinction.
There is still much work to be done in the months and years ahead as we look forward to celebrating our 200th anniversary. I look forward to continuing to do my part to elevate Wake Forest as it positions itself for its third century. I stand ready to assist an interim Provost at President Wente’s request.
It has truly been an honor to be a part of such a strong institution and leadership team, and I am grateful to President Wente for the opportunity to serve. Thank you all for your trust in me and for your continued engagement and contributions to campus.
Sincerely,
Michele Gillespie
Categories: Uncategorized, University Announcements