DETROIT – Wayne State University's Board of Governors voted unanimously to elect Dr. M. Roy Wilson as the University's 12th President.
Wilson will succeed Allan Gilmour, who has agreed to serve as president until Wilson takes office in August.
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Gilmour joined the university as interim president in August 2010 and was elected president by the Board in January 2011.
Wilson's appointment follows an extensive search that began in the late fall of 2012.
"We looked at a number of outstanding candidates from around the nation," said Debbie Dingell, chair of the Board of Governors. "The board concluded that Roy's extensive leadership experience-particularly in academia and medicine will be crucial as both the state of Michigan and Wayne State grapple with changes in higher education and health care. His understanding and appreciation of the importance of a major research university is yet another reason Roy the right person at the right time for Wayne State. We are delighted that he has joined this great university."
Wilson currently serves as deputy director for strategic scientific planning and program coordination at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health.
Previously, Dr. Wilson served as dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for health sciences at Creighton University, president of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and, concurrently, chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver and chair of the Board of Directors of University of Colorado Hospital.
Wilson received his undergraduate degree from Allegheny College, an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and an M.S. in epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
"I am grateful the board has asked me to serve as President, and I am honored to accept this great responsibility," said Wilson. "Higher education is evolving rapidly, with many changes and challenges, both now and into the future. Wayne State University has a history of excellence and opportunity, and we must lead the way. I see my job as bringing us all together to build upon a rich legacy, and to position us for a successful future for the sake of our students, faculty, staff and friends, and the community and State we serve."