Office of Public Relations — Newsroom
News Release
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Tonya Ewers, 303.315.6374, pager 303.266.0941, Tonya.Ewers@uchsc.edu
University of Colorado Denver Announces New Provost
DENVER (June 3, 2008) – Dr. Roderick Nairn, vice chancellor for University Initiatives at the University of Colorado Denver has been selected as the new provost for the university. The decision was made this week after UC Denver Chancellor M. Roy Wilson, MD, MS, conferred with the search committee, all of whom enthusiastically supported Dr. Nairn. His appointment will begin July 1.
The search committee for the provost was charged with conducting a thorough national search with the hopes of producing four finalist candidates who would be ultimately forwarded to Chancellor Wilson for consideration. Three of the final four candidates withdrew from the search process for various reasons.
In his charge as Vice Chancellor for University Initiatives, Nairn has either completed or nearly completed many of the major tasks assigned to his current office including the launching of the Colorado School of Public Health, the consolidation of the Graduate School, and the move to UC Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo.
“As a result of Dr. Nairn’s progress in University Initiatives, future projects will now be incorporated into the office of the provost,” added Chancellor Wilson. “Dr. Nairn emerged with overwhelming support from the search committee and was received well in open forums where all had a chance to question him on his background and vision. His familiarity with our university and his already proven track record of accomplishment will allow us to move forward on our current initiatives, including preparation for our 2010 – 2011 accreditation.”
Prior to working as the Vice Chancellor for University Initiatives at UC Denver, Nairn was Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center from 2004 to 2007. Prior to that, he worked at Creighton University School of Medicine in a variety of appointments from 1995-2003, including Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
Born and raised in Scotland, Dr. Nairn received his PhD in biochemistry from the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, and the Royal Free School of Medicine at the University of London.
“As one of the primary leaders and authors of UC Denver’s strategic plan, Dr. Nairn understands and supports the shared vision for the road ahead,” said Chancellor M. Roy Wilson. “I have every confidence that he will be an excellent provost for our university and will continue the path of bridging the Downtown Campus in Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.”
Dr. Nairn currently resides in Denver with his wife, Morag. They have one daughter, Carolyn.
The University of Colorado Denver is one of three universities in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver on the Downtown Campus and at Ninth & Colorado Blvd., and on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo., University of Colorado Denver offers more than 100 degrees and programs in 13 schools and colleges and serving more than 28,000 students in Metro Denver and online. For more information, visit the web site at administration.ucdenver.edu or the UC Denver Newsroom at http://www.uchsc.edu/news.
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