Outgoing Texas A&M President Loftin Named Next Chancellor Of The University Of Missouri

Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin announced today he has accepted the position of chancellor of the University of Missouri, effective Feb. 1, 2014. Loftin had previously announced he would be stepping down from the Texas A&M presidency on Jan. 13, 2014.

In a statement distributed to Texas A&M students, faculty and staff this morning, Loftin said:

“When I announced, in July of this year, my resignation from the presidency of Texas A&M University, I noted that my love for students is and has been my primary motivation. At that time a return to the faculty and to teaching and research seemed the logical path for me. Since that announcement I have devoted a great deal of thought to how best to continue doing what I love — serving students. Recently, a unique and exciting opportunity came my way, an opportunity to continue affecting the lives and futures of thousands of students, not just a few dozen enrolled in the classes I would teach or working in the laboratories where I would do research. While it is very difficult to imagine ourselves anywhere else but Aggieland, Karin and I have found a new home with many of the attributes of Texas A&M.”

“Today the University of Missouri System is announcing that I will become the 22nd Chancellor of its flagship campus in Columbia, Missouri. As a Fightin’ Texas Aggie, a piece of me will always be here, and my love for this university’s students will not lessen. We look forward to maintaining the friendships we have forged here while we develop new ones in the State of Missouri. I will be leading the oldest public university west of the Mississippi, a land-grant institution that shares much with Texas A&M — a rich history, membership in the Association of American Universities and the Southeastern Conference, an outstanding faculty and staff, and a passionate student body and alumni. We wish only the best for Texas A&M and for its students, former students, faculty and staff.”

Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, commenting on Loftin’s announcement, said: “I congratulate him on his new opportunity and wish him well.”

University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe formally introduced Loftin at a news conference in Columbia. The University of Missouri announcement of Loftin’s appointment, posted immediately after the news conference, can be viewed at http://news.missouri.edu/2013/loftin-leadership/.

Loftin, a 1970 Texas A&M graduate, was named president of his alma mater in February of 2010 after serving in that capacity on an interim basis for the previous eight months.

In his new position, Loftin will be serving in a similar role in heading the University of Missouri’s flagship Columbia campus, but Missouri uses the title of chancellor for such positions, rather than president.

A nationwide search is under way for the next president of Texas A&M.

The University of Missouri’s previous chancellor, Brady Deaton, formally retired Nov. 15.