President Wagner to Retire Next Year
"The time is right, both for me personally and for Emory."--Emory University President James Wagner
After more than twelve years of leading Emory's steady progress in academic, research, and health care prominence, President James Wagner has announced that he will retire from the presidency at the end of August 2016.
“The time is right, both for me personally and for Emory,” says Wagner. “I have delighted in the good fortune of being part of this community during a period of tremendous growth in impact, depth, and richness—all grounded in the special character of this place.”
Emory Board of Trustees Chair John Morgan expressed appreciation for Wagner’s stellar leadership in advancing Emory as a destination for the best and brightest students, outstanding faculty and staff, and renowned researchers and health care providers.
“President Wagner’s leadership has firmly established Emory as a great national university in every measure, from the enrollment of superb students, the growth of a world-class community of scholars and researchers, and the expansion of cutting-edge facilities that enable the university to fulfill its highest aspirations,” says Morgan. “Jim exemplifies the very qualities that define Emory, and he has well positioned the university to continue its pursuit of excellence in all aspects of its mission.”
In October, the Board of Trustees announced a selection process to begin the work of identifying Emory’s next president.
The president’s leading role in developing the university’s first vision statement laid the foundation for a ten-year strategic plan, Where Courageous Inquiry Leads, focused on strengthening faculty distinction, ensuring the highest student quality and enhancing the student experience, and exploring new frontiers in science and technology.
The largest fund-raising campaign in the history of Georgia resulted in the investment of $1.7 billion in support of the university’s initiatives in teaching, research, scholarship, and patient care.
Recruitment efforts during the president’s tenure have been particularly successful, as the university welcomed a world-class and diverse community of scholars and researchers. The same holds true for Emory’s success in recruiting outstanding students and providing resources that will enable them to thrive.
Under Wagner’s leadership, Emory also has accomplished the innovative design and construction of a number of new facilities to support health sciences research, science education, residential life, library resources, and patient care.
