Pictured above: Rhea Law is a USF alumna and active member of the university community. She does not plan to apply for the permanent president role.
Courtesy of Stetson University
By Annalise Anderson
In a unanimous vote, the USF Board of Trustees approved Rhea Law as the university’s interim president during today’s meeting. Law’s new position is effective immediately.
Law replaces President Steve Currall, who announced his retirement from the presidency on July 19.
Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford, who recommended Law to the position on July 26, announced the decision in an email to the USF community earlier today.
“As I shared with you last week, Interim President Law has an impressive background and is uniquely qualified to help lead USF during this transition,” Weatherford wrote. “A devoted USF supporter, alumna, former Board of Trustees chair and highly respected community leader, her deep ties within our community and her stellar leadership abilities will enable us to continue our momentum.”
Law addressed the Board of Trustees during the meeting, thanking them for her appointment.
“It is truly my honor to serve USF in this capacity, and it really allows me to give back to an institution who’s given so much to me,” Law said. “I think you all know that USF has been part of my life for the majority of my life in all kinds of different capacities, and I have seen the university grow and evolve into the dynamic powerhouse of knowledge, innovation and impact that it currently is.”
A former Florida law firm CEO, Law was a founding member of the Board of Trustees, where she served as vice chair for five years and four years as the first and only female chair. She was also a founding member of USF Law Alumni Society’s Board of Directors and served on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee for USF’s last two presidential searches.
According to Weatherford and Law, conversations with “various stakeholders” have already been initiated and Law plans to establish a presence at all three USF campuses. Her ultimate goal as interim president is “to create a solid foundation” for the university’s next permanent president.
Upon Weatherford’s initial recommendation, Law stated that she will not apply for the permanent presidential role.
State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is optimistic about what Law’s appointment means for the St. Petersburg campus.
“I’ve known Rhea Law for years and I think she’s an excellent choice to lead the university,” Brandes said. “I think she and the chairman of the [USF Board of Trustees], Will Weatherford, will work together to set a new direction for the [St. Petersburg] campus.
“It probably won’t be a significant shift, but I believe it will definitely be a new direction. She definitely recognizes the unique strengths of each individual campus.”
Brandes said he hopes to see Law on the St. Petersburg campus soon to “sit down with her” and talk about its future.
Law’s appointment awaits confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors during its next meeting on Aug. 31.
“In the coming weeks, the Board of Trustees will meet again to discuss next steps in the national search for the permanent position,” Weatherford wrote. “We’ll keep our community updated as we move forward.”
Today is Currall’s final day as university president after serving only a two-year tenure. The Board of Trustees is considering honoring Currall with the president emeritus title, despite his tenure being the shortest in USF history.
The Board of Trustees confirmed that Law will not live in The Lifsey House during her time as interim president.
Nancy McCann contributed to this report.
