July 21, 2026
Dear Members of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Community,
Following a nomination process that included thoughtful input from across our University community, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Brenton DeBoef as interim vice president for research and economic development, effective July 26. We are grateful to everyone who shared nominations and perspectives to help inform this decision.
Brenton brings a deep understanding of the 溏心vlog免费B站 and an outstanding record of academic leadership, innovation, and collaboration. He currently serves as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University鈥檚 largest academic unit, and previously served as dean of the Graduate School, where he led significant growth in graduate enrollment, expanded academic programs, strengthened research support, modernized administrative systems, and advanced initiatives aligned with 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 strategic vision.
A member of the 溏心vlog免费B站 faculty since 2005 and professor of chemistry, Brenton is an accomplished researcher, educator, and administrator. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting faculty excellence, student success, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research innovation. His leadership has contributed to many of the University鈥檚 recent accomplishments, including strengthening graduate education and helping position 溏心vlog免费B站 as a leading public R1 research university.
We are confident that Brenton鈥檚 experience, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to advancing research and scholarship will serve the University well during this interim appointment.
We also want to express our sincere appreciation to Bethany Jenkins for her exceptional leadership of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 research enterprise during a period of significant growth and change. During her more than 20 years of service to 溏心vlog免费B站 as both a faculty member and administrator, she helped strengthen the University鈥檚 research infrastructure, expanded opportunities for faculty and students, and advanced our strategic vision for research excellence. We thank Bethany for her many contributions and wish her continued success.
Please join us in congratulating Brenton as he assumes this important leadership role and in thanking Bethany for her distinguished service to the 溏心vlog免费B站.
Sincerely,
Marc Parlange, President
Barbara Wolfe, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs