The Texas Longhorns are presently making their way through the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, gearing up for a semifinal clash with Ohio State.
Just days prior to their game with the Buckeyes, Texas’ athletic department underwent significant changes.
The president of the Longhorns, Jay Hartzell, took on the same position at Southern Methodist University. He will succeed the existing president, R. Gerald Turner, who is resigning after three decades with the university, according to Billy Embody at On3Sports.
As reported by Kelsey Thompson at Kxan, Hartzell is set to officially take over from R. Gerald Turner as president of SMU on June 1, following the endorsement of the change by the university’s board of trustees.
Hartzell has served at the University of Texas for 23 years in both faculty and administrative roles. Prior to starting his administrative position at Texas, he earned a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy from the university.
The spring semester will mark Hartzell’s last term as president of Texas.
In a statement from Hartzell, he expressed his honor in taking the position at SMU and is eager to guide the university into its “next era.”
“I feel privileged to take on the role of president at a remarkable institution such as SMU, located in one of the most vibrant and rapidly expanding cities in the country, and I look forward to discovering the ways I can create the most significant influence as a leader,” Hartzell stated. “SMU’s exceptional – and growing – national standing, years of remarkable internal and external leadership, a robust board of trustees, successful alumni, and a notably strong and diverse group of students and faculty presented an opportunity that Kara and I couldn’t overlook.” I am eager to enhance the University’s impressive progress and guide SMU into its forthcoming chapter.
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