April 2, 2004

Media Inquiries: Dolores Davies, (858) 534-5994
Michael Reese, UC Office of the President (510) 987-9200

Message to the UCSD Community
From UC President Robert C. Dynes

Dear Friends:

As you know, we have been engaged in an intensive national search for the next chancellor of the University of California, San Diego. With the assistance of our advisory committee, I have identified a person I believe to be a superb candidate for the position, and my intention has been to convene the Board of Regents on April 12 to act on the appointment.

Marye Anne Fox

I learned today that the name of the candidate has been made public and very soon will be reported in the press. Because I wanted you to hear the news first from me, I am writing to inform you that my recommendation is Marye Anne Fox, a distinguished chemist and highly regarded academic administrator who currently is chancellor of North Carolina State University.

Dr. Fox has served as chancellor of North Carolina State since 1998 and previously was vice president for research at the University of Texas at Austin. As one of the nation's most distinguished physical organic chemists, she has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. She also is a member of President Bush's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and is a recipient of numerous distinguished awards for her teaching and research.

Dr. Fox is widely regarded as a fine teacher and mentor, a dedicated researcher, and a seasoned administrator of a large and active public research institution. In my conversations with her, I have been pleased to hear her commitment to excellence and her view of UCSD as an international leader in the pursuit of higher learning and discovery. Additional information about Dr. Fox is available on her Web site at http://chancellor.ncsu.edu/maf.html.

This was a highly competitive search featuring many candidates who brought a dazzling array of qualifications. In the end, my decision was guided by my belief that Dr. Fox brings the combination of skills needed to build on UCSD's reputation as one of the finest universities in the world.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Acting Chancellor Marsha Chandler and her team for their leadership of the UCSD campus. I have deeply valued Marsha's skills and insights for many years and believe she has many important roles still to play, both during this transition and in the future.

Finally, let me say I regret that news of Dr. Fox's appointment is being released in this unanticipated fashion. More importantly, though, I believe we have secured a leader who will work with all segments of the UCSD community to preserve and enhance the academic excellence and many special qualities of this extraordinary campus. The Regents will still meet April 12 to act on the appointment, and I know that Dr. Fox is eager to begin meeting all of you as soon as possible thereafter. I hope you will join me in welcoming her to the UCSD family.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Dynes
President