Pharmacy Dean Selected as UK’s Interim Provost

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2012) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto has named College of Pharmacy Dean Tim Tracy to serve as Interim Provost.

Tracy, who will assume the position on May 7, takes over for Kumble Subbaswamy, who was recently named chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Subbaswamy has served as UK’s provost, the institution’s chief academic officer, since 2006.

“Dr. Tracy brings a wealth of administrative and academic experience to this role, having served as Dean of the College since August 2010,” Capilouto said. “I want to thank Dean Tracy for agreeing to serve in a capacity essential to our continued progress as a university.”

UK’s College of Pharmacy is currently ranked No. 5 in the country and is consistently rated among the top programs in the nation. Prior to coming to UK, Tracy spent six years as a faculty member and department head at the University of Minnesota and previously spent 11 years on the faculty at West Virginia University.

In addition to his day-to-day duties as Interim Provost, Capilouto said he is asking Tracy to focus on several specific initiatives, including:

• Helping guide UK through significant budget reductions in the coming year and preparing for further cuts and changes in 2013-14.

• Overseeing the commitment the institution has to enhancing UK’s undergraduate education – a goal aggressively being sought by Capilouto and UK’s Board of Trustees.

• Preparing UK for a new budget model in 2013-14. Tracy, in fact, has been chairing a workgroup examining the institution’s budget model – a role he will continue to play.

• Evaluation changes to the organizational structure of the Provost’s Office.

Earlier this year, Capilouto undertook an examination of his administrative structure as part of a number of initiatives designed to maximize UK’s efficiency and effectiveness in pursuing its ambitious academic and research goals.

Capilouto said he hopes to begin as soon as possible with a national search for a permanent Provost, a position he wants filled by the beginning of the Spring 2013 semester. During the interim period, Tracy will continue to provide strategic guidance to the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Patrick McNamara will serve as Acting Dean and oversee the day-to-day operations of the college.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jay Blanton, (859) 699-0041 or jay.blanton@uky.edu