SMU Provost Paul Ludden informed the SMU community today that he will be stepping down from his position June 1, 2015. He announced his choice to step down via an email sent to faculty and staff at 1:57 p.m.
According to Ludden, he chose to step down because of his search for other opportunities in Wisconsin near his daughter and family. Ludden is one of four finalists for the provost position at Marquette University in Milwaukee, as The Daily Campus reported this January. However, Marquette University announced Feb. 16 that Daniel J. Myers, vice president and associate provost for faculty affairs at the University of Notre Dame, would be the university’s next provost.
Ludden stated that although the results of the job search are not finalized, he suggested to SMU President R. Gerald Turner that he would leave his position at the end of this semester because of the potential disruption the move would cause.
“Because the Board was informed of this decision at last Friday’s meeting, I wanted to share it with the broader SMU community as soon as possible,” Ludden said in his email to faculty and staff.
Ludden will continue his work on campus as provost for the remainder of the semester until he begins his leave with his wife Linda.
During his eight years at SMU, Ludden served on several university, government and business advisory boards and panels in addition to serving as provost.
He feels like this is a good time to leave because of the university is at the end of its strategic plan and close to the end of its Unbridled Campaign.
“It is a good time to have a change in the provost position and bring in a new leader to advance SMU under a new strategic plan,” he said in his email.
According to Ludden, President Turner and himself are working together on a smooth transition over the course of the semester.
“I have been fortunate to have such a talented and committed team in the Provost Office and I am certain that they will provide stability during a time of change,” Ludden said.
The Daily Campus will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
