columbiamissourian | Michael Middleton was named the interim system president of the University of Missouri System early Thursday afternoon.
“I
am honored to accept the appointment as interim president of the UM
System, and lead our state’s premiere university during this
extraordinary time,” Middleton said in a system news release. “The time
has come for us to acknowledge and address our daunting challenges, and
return to our relentless adherence to the University of Missouri’s
mission to discover, disseminate, preserve and apply knowledge.”
“I
am looking forward to working closely with the leadership on our four
campuses, and Missouri’s state leaders, to move this great university
forward,” he said in the release, issued at the same time Middleton's
appointment was announced at a UM System Board of Curators news
conference.
Also Thursday, the curators
accelerated the transition of authority from MU Chancellor R. Bowen
Loftin to Interim Chancellor Hank Foley, giving Foley the
responsibilities of the MU Office of Chancellor effective immediately.
"Our
priorities have been to keep our campus community informed and safe,
and to make sure students, faculty and staff are aware of the many
resources available to them in terms of counseling, mental health
services and other support," Foley said in the release. “I am looking
forward to working with Interim President Middleton and the other system
chancellors to continue to forward progress at the University of
Missouri.”
Middleton, deputy
chancellor emeritus of MU, retired Aug. 31 after 30 years at the
university including 17 as deputy chancellor. In that role, Middleton
assisted the chancellor in his day-to-day work, appointed the Campus
Climate Task Force and headed the Conflict of Interest Oversight
Committee, according to previous Missourian reporting.
Beyond
his daily duties, he also worked with organizations and committees on
campus focused on improving gender and race equality, such as the Black
Faculty and Staff Organization, Tribute to MU Women and the
Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.
Middleton is a member of the Faculty Council Committee on Race Relations.
