Temple University announced that former president Richard Englert will temporarily assume the role again for the 2023-24 academic year.
Englert retired in July 2021 after 45 years of serving Temple University in 17 different roles. Previously, Englert held positions such as deputy provost, chancellor, and associate vice president of administrations. He also served as president and acting president of the university. He returns to serve as university president after Temple’s acting president, JoAnne Epps, passed away after falling ill at a university event.
“I am honored to again lead this outstanding institution,” Englert said in a statement in The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I have witnessed the unwavering passion and resilience of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. It is these qualities that make our university exceptional, and I am eager to work alongside you to further our mission of access, academic excellence, research and community engagement.”
The Board of Trustees is currently continuing their search for a permanent president with a search firm and advisory committee, the Inquirer reported. The university still plans to appoint a new president in the spring term. According to Mitchell Morgan, chair of the Board of Trustees, Englert will not be a candidate for the permanent job.
Morgan attested to Englert’s dependability and added that he is confident that Englert will be able to continue the work Epps had started.
“He is highly regarded by the faculty, deans and senior leadership,” Morgan said to the Inquirer.
A Detroit native, Englert received his doctorate from UCLA in 1976. When he started working at Temple, he began as an assistant to the dean of the education school. His other roles included acting director of intercollegiate athletics, acting chief administrative officer of the School of Podiatric Medicine, and chief of staff, according to the Inquirer.
Temple’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, Ken Kaiser, said that Englert’s availability for the acting president role is “a blessing” for Temple.
“If anyone can carry on the legacy [JoAnne Epps] created, it’s Dick,” Kaiser said to the Inquirer.
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