Friday, July 19, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC -- University of North Carolina at Wilmington Chancellor James R. Leutze today announced his plans to retire effective June 30, 2003, or when his successor has been identified and appointed. Chancellor Leutze made the announcement during the regular July meeting of the UNCW Board of Trustees.

Chancellor Leutze has led the university since July 15, 1990. He has overseen a growth in the student body from 6,978 to its 2001-2002 level of 10,600. Along with growth in quantity, the university has grown in quality of the student body. Predictors for the incoming freshman class for 2002 is an average SAT of 1112 and an average high school GPA of 3.67.

In addition, under his leadership, research funds coming to the university have grown from $2 million in 1990 to $15.8 million in 2002. Chancellor Leutze has also reached out into the region with programs designed to enhance the quality of life in southeastern North Carolina and to improve economic development prospects.

“Jim Leutze has done an outstanding job of serving both the interests of UNC Wilmington as well as the UNC system through his long tenure in North Carolina higher education,” said Mr. Larry J. Dagenhart, chair of the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees.

“The trustees are indebted to him for the vision and leadership he has brought to our campus and the growth and progress that his tenure as chancellor has engendered. It will certainly be a challenge to find a comparable replacement,” he said.

UNC President Molly Corbett Broad said of Dr. Leutze’s decision: “I am genuinely grateful to Chancellor Leutze for his many years of service to the University of North Carolina. Under his watch, the quality and stature of UNCW’s academic programs have improved markedly during a time of rapid growth.

“Over the past 12 years,” added President Broad, “he has worked to strengthen ties with the local community, expanded the reach of the UNCW’s public service activities, and lent his support to regional economic development efforts. UNCW has benefited greatly from his leadership and commitment, and I look forward to working closely with Chancellor Leutze during the remaining months of his tenure.”

In making the announcement, Chancellor Leutze commented that he looks forward to “leading UNCW for the next year, continuing its great progress.”

“An important part of the current strength of UNCW will be that the university can attract an outstanding pool of candidates,” he said.

In coming weeks, a search committee will be appointed by the UNCW Board of Trustees and charged by President Broad. The new chancellor, upon nomination by the president, must be elected by the UNC Board of Governors, the policy-making body of the 16-campus University of North Carolina.