KU Provost Named President of the University of Louisville

University of Kansas Provost, and Ingram’s 250 honoree, Neeli Bendapudi is now the President of the University of Louisville.  KU made the announcement today in a letter from Chancellor Doug Girod who says Bendapudi is slated to take over the new position in May.  Bendapudi later tweeted out her own announcement with a letter to students and staff at KU.

KU Friends, many have heard me say that leaders need to remember they are temporary custodians of great institutions. 
To that end, I want you to know of a bittersweet change. Venkat and I are headed to Louisville, KY, where I will become president of @uofl. #RockChalk #GoCards pic.twitter.com/SjJgMNEzsZ

— Neeli Bendapudi (@KUProvostNeeli) April 3, 2018

“While this is a loss for KU, I am delighted for Neeli, who has served our university with passion for the past seven years and will undoubtedly do great work at Louisville,” said Girod.  He added that he will name in interim provost in the coming days and says he will keep people “informed on the process for identifying a permanent successor in the coming weeks.”

Girod’s letter to his colleagues at KU outlined Bendapudi’s accomplishments with the university.  “As provost and executive vice chancellor since 2016, she has prioritized retention and graduation rates, faculty and staff development, and our university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Before she served as provost, Bendapudi was serving as the Dean of the School of Business and as Girod noted, “she partnered with KU Endowment to raise $198.6 million in total gifts, oversaw an expansion of the school’s academic programming, and guided the school to gains in the national rankings.”