PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Temple University has announced the school’s next transitional leader in the wake of the death of President JoAnne Epps.
The Board of Trustees has tapped Chancellor Richard M. Englert to serve as temporary president.
In a statement, board chair Mitchell Morgan said Englert will “carry on the work that President JoAnne A. Epps started and provide a steady hand of leadership while the search for Temple’s next chief executive continues.”
Englert served as Temple’s 11th president from 2016 to 2021. He has spent nearly half a century in his career at Temple. He first arrived at the university in 1976 and has served in an array of other leadership roles.
He said Epps’ “legacy and contributions to Temple University will continue to inspire us.”
“I am honored to again lead this outstanding institution,” he said in a statement. “I have witnessed the unwavering passion and resilience of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. It is these qualities that make our university exceptional, and I am eager to work alongside you to further our mission of access, academic excellence, research and community engagement.”
Epps was picked to serve as Temple’s acting president in April after the resignation of Jason Wingard.
She died on Sept. 19 after falling ill during a school ceremony to honor Dr. Charles Blockson. She was 72.
The university will hold a memorial service in her honor Friday morning.