The University of Pennsylvania’s board of trustees is tapping J. Larry Jameson, its longest serving dean, to immediately become the school’s interim president, replacing Liz Magill, following her resignation last weekend.
Jameson is dean of UPenn’s medical school and will take the helm of the Ivy League institution at a moment of crisis.
The board of trustees said Jameson will be appointed as interim president effective Tuesday and remain in that role until a permanent president is named.
“Penn is fortunate to have the benefit of Dr. Jameson’s experience and leadership during this time of transition,” Julie Platt, the interim chair of UPenn’s board of trustees, said in an announcement sent Tuesday afternoon.
Platt praised Jameson as a “consummate University citizen” and a “collaborative, innovative and visionary leader with extensive engagement with each of Penn’s 12 schools.”
Both of UPenn’s leaders as of a few days ago – board chair Scott Bok and Magill – departed just a week after the disastrous testimony before Congress on antisemitism.
Magill stepped down under immense pressure on Saturday after struggling to answer whether calls for genocide against Jews violates university rules.
Jameson is UPenn’s longest-serving dean and previously denounced calls for genocide as a form of hate, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. Jameson also serves as executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System.
“Please join me in thanking Dr. Jameson for stepping into this role and for guiding Penn during this challenging time,” Platt said.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
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