University of Tennessee names Wayne Davis interim chancellor

The University of Tennessee has named Wayne Davis as the interim chancellor less than 24 hours after removing Beverly Davenport from the job. The announcement was made by way of a press release this morning. University President Joe DiPietro had this to say of Davis.

“Wayne Davis is a proven and respected University leader who has served the flagship campus in numerous capacities for more than four decades. As its dean, he has presided over a thriving Tickle College of Engineering, growing in enrollment, research productivity and achieving new heights of national recognition. I greatly appreciate Wayne and his wife, Sylvia, postponing retirement to continue serving their alma mater during this critical time.” — UT President Joe DiPietro

Davis also gave a statement in the release.

“As an alum, a faculty member and an administrator, I have been committed to this great University and its journey toward excellence for more than 45 years. I am deeply honored to be asked to serve in this interim role as the university identifies the next steps toward its search for a new chancellor.” — Wayne Davis

According to the release, Davis will serve in the chancellor role for “six to twelve months.”

Beverly Davenport was removed from the chancellor position after just one year on the job. President DiPietro cited several reasons for removing her from the job yesterday in a termination letter.

The move will bring on yet another change at a powerful position within the University, something people around the school are all too familiar with. President DiPietro will now have Wayne Davis — a 40+ year University of Tennessee employee — serve as chancellor starting on July 1st, 2018.