My decision today to accept the position of Chancellor of The
University of Alabama System came after long and careful deliberation
and with deeply mixed emotions. Serving as president of Mississippi
State University has been the highlight of my professional career, and
the opportunity to lead my alma mater has been a deeply fulfilling
personal experience.
I believe it is appropriate for me to move on to new challenges
at this point because Mississippi State University is well positioned
for the future and has great momentum. Thanks to a highly capable and
committed faculty and staff, this institution understands its role and
its mission and it has the infrastructure and the expertise to continue
to make outstanding contributions to the future of Mississippi.
My regard for Mississippi State, its faculty and staff, and its
outstanding students never has been higher. This is a remarkable
institution that is making major contributions to the state and
region. As I have said before, no university in the United States is
more important to the state in which it is located than this
institution.
I deeply appreciate the opportunity I have had during the past
four years to work with so many talented and dedicated people at
Mississippi State and throughout Mississippi. Olivia and I will always
treasure the friendships that we renewed and made here and will always
have the highest regard and wish the very best for our home university
and home state.