RIVERSIDE

 

By Chris Levister

Robert Gray, a former Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at UC Davis will serve as acting chancellor at UC Riverside.

UCR faculty and staff gathered at the University Theatre to welcome Gray, the original consultant on UCR's successful medical school proposal.

"Bob Grey is an extremely talented and experienced administrator who fully understands and embraces the goals of UCR," said Cordova.  As EVC and Provost for UC Davis for eight years he helped guide that campus to its current reputation as a premier land grant university. In that role the prestigious UC Davis medical school reported to him.

In making the announcement, UC President Robert Dynes said Gray is the right choice for the campus. "The strength of his leadership background, his knowledge of the University of California, and his understanding of the key issues pertinent to UC Riverside make him an excellent candidate to serve as Acting Chancellor."

"Gray is just the ticket for us," said Thomas Cogswell, chair of the UCR Academic Senate. He is a veteran academic administrator with wide experience on a campus with a flourishing medical school."

Executive Vice Chancellor Ellen Wartella, said, "We are lucky to have him. He is a wonderful choice because he is committed to moving forward on our medical school  and he knows how to work with the Office of the President.

Gray's research field is cellular and molecular biology. He has served on the UC Davis faculty since 1967. He graduated from Phillips University in Oklahoma and received his doctoral degree from Washington University in Saint Louis, where he taught and conducted research before joining UC Davis.

Gray told UCR faculty and staff, "From my previous stay here I know that the campus is blessed with an excellent faculty and staff. Chancellor Cordova developed a vision for the campus that was bold and exciting and I intend to sustain the momentum generated by that vision."

A national search for the permanent UCR chancellor will begin soon, involving a committee of faculty members with representation from students, staff and alumni.