Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:
I am writing with an update on the search for our new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Over the past several weeks, the seven person search committee—comprised of faculty, administrator, and student representatives—considered nearly 50 applicants from across the country and a wide range of institutions. Following a series of on-campus interviews with three highly qualified finalists, and after reviewing stakeholder feedback on each of them, the search committee was unanimous in its selection.
I am pleased to share with you the appointment of Dr. Richard (Rich) Veit, currently serving in the interim role, as our new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Veit’s appointment is effective immediately, and I am confident that he will continue to build on his early successes as Interim Provost.
A 29-year veteran of Monmouth, Dr. Veit is a Professor in the Department of History and Anthropology. Over the span of his career at Monmouth, Dr. Veit has developed extensive leadership experience, serving as an undergraduate program director, graduate program director, faculty athletic representative, Faculty Council chair, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning director, department chair, as well as associate dean and interim dean of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, he recently served as co-chair of the Middle States Steering Committee.
Dr. Veit’s many contributions to Monmouth have been recognized at several points throughout his career. In 2007, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2019, was named the inaugural recipient of the Eugene Simko Faculty Leadership Award. He is an esteemed educator and respected administrator, and also a notable scholar whose service to Monmouth has enriched our University community in countless ways.
I look forward to seeing Dr. Veit’s continued contributions as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and to working alongside him in support of our students towards our goal of being a national leader in the integration of excellence and access. I am also grateful to the members of the search committee—Christine Benol, Ped Daneshgar, Rose Knapp, Bob McCaig, Emily Miller-Gonzalez, Jake Sweeney, and Michele Van Volkom—who worked diligently over the past few months to help narrow a robust and competitive applicant pool.
Please join me in thanking the search committee for a job well done, and in congratulating Dr. Veit on this well-deserved appointment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President