Illinois Wesleyan University has tabbed the former president of Kenyon College in Ohio to serve as interim president following Eric Jensen’s recent departure.
Georgia Nugent will take over as IWU’s interim president on Aug. 15 and will serve through the 2019-20 academic year.
Retired IWU president Richard Wilson is serving as acting president.
Nugent is currently a senior fellow at the Council of Independent Colleges, where she has helped oversee a public information campaign to advocate for liberal arts education.
She served as president of Kenyon College from 2003 to 2013 and served as interim president at The College of Wooster in Ohio during the 2015-16 academic year.
“Dr. Nugent brings a compelling track record of accomplishment as both an educator and administrator, with academic credentials from Princeton and Cornell, and distinguished experience leading a noted private college, Kenyon,” IWU Board Chair Timothy Szerlong said. “She has earned a national reputation as a true champion for the liberal arts, including her work with the CIC.”
Nugent will not be considered as a candidate for the longer-term presidency at her request, according to a news release from the university.
IWU launched a national search for a new president in May following Jensen’s sudden retirement. He had served as university president for nearly four years.
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