UConn President Hogan’s predecessor, Philip Austin will serve as interim president

Former UConn President Philip E. Austin has been chosen for the interim position while search begins for new president. UConn file photo by Peter Morenus.

The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees today [May 21] voted to appoint Philip E. Austin as UConn’s interim president while a search begins for UConn’s 15th president. Austin said he will not apply for the permanent position.

Hogan announced his resignation, effective June 30, in an email on May 11.

He is leaving to take a new position as president of the University of Illinois which has campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.

Hogan, who is originally from born in Waterloo, Iowa was hired as UConn president in 2007 to replace Austin, who served from 1996 to 2007.

Austin’s current appointment will begin on June 11 and continue until a new president is selected, a process that is expected to take several months, according to a press release issued by the university. His salary will be $370,000 a year.

“During this period of transition, it is essential that the University have an experienced leader to guide us forward, particularly as we face budgetary challenges and continue working to secure a renovated John Dempsey Hospital and new patient tower at the Health Center,” Board of Trustees Chair Larry McHugh wrote in an e-mail to the University this afternoon.

“Phil Austin has a deep commitment to UConn, pride in what we have achieved, and the desire to do whatever he can to ensure our continued growth and success. Speaking on behalf of the entire board, we are thrilled and grateful that Phil has agreed to return on an interim basis to help ensure a smooth transition from one president to another. I very much look forward to working with him.”

McHugh noted that the board is currently forming a broad-based committee that will conduct a nationwide search for a new president.

“We will keep the UConn community updated on the search process as we move forward,” he said.

Since stepping-down as president, Austin has been a faculty member at UConn teaching courses in higher education leadership, as well as participating in accreditation and other activities of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association on behalf of the university.

“Serving as the president of UConn was greatly rewarding and I’m happy to assist the University now as it undergoes a transition in leadership,” said Austin.

“I look forward to working closely again with the board, our faculty, staff, alumni, and students, as well as our state and federal elected officials. All have contributed significantly to UConn’s impressive progress in recent years,” he said.

Austin lives in West Hartford and is the father of two adult sons.

Posted May 21, 2010