Friday, the Auburn University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Christopher B. Roberts, dean of the university’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, as its 21st president.
The naming of Roberts as university president comes on the heels of a nine-month national search for a new institutional leader. According to the university, Roberts will assume the position on May 16. Roberts will succeed Jay Gogue, who in June announced his retirement.
Auburn University trustee Wayne Smith, who chaired the university’s 22-member presidential advisory search committee, asserted that Roberts’ campus visit left committee members pleased with his credentials.
“Personally, I could not have been more pleased,” stated Smith. “We all have every confidence that he is the right person to provide strong and thoughtful leadership that will enhance Auburn’s visibility and impact for the 21st century.”
Roberts extended his gratitude to the Auburn community for entrusting him to serve as the land grant university’s next president.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the next president of Auburn University,” expressed Roberts. “Having called Auburn home for the past 28 years, I feel privileged to lead this distinguished university as we pursue even greater levels of impact and excellence.”
He added, “I would like to express my appreciation to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, Auburn University Board of Trustees and community for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to working with the Auburn Family to build upon our strong foundation as we advance towards our goals and aspirations for the future.”
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In 1990, Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri. He went on to obtain master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Notre Dame in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
Roberts in 1994 began his career at Auburn University as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and became department chair in 2003. In July 2012, he was named dean of engineering.
Gogue, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in horticulture from Auburn University, became the academic institution’s 18th president in 2007. He retired as president emeritus in 2017. Gogue was appointed by the university’s board of trustees to serve as interim president in 2019, and was named the university’s 20th president in 2020.
Auburn University president pro tempore Bob Dumas expressed appreciation to Gogue for his years of service and proclaimed that he had placed the university on a path to future success.
“President Gogue has served our great university incredibly well, twice. During his two presidential terms, Dr. Gogue improved every aspect of Auburn’s land-grant mission,” stated Dumas. “We will be forever grateful to Jay and Susie for coming out of retirement when called upon three years ago. Jay expertly led us through many challenging times these past couple of years and leaves the university well positioned for our next president.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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