Though she originally intended to stay temporarily, Rhea Law filed an application to become the eighth official president.
Courtesy of USF
By Aubrey Carr
The University of South Florida’s Interim President Rhea Law applied to stay in the role long-term, as originally reported by the Tampa Bay Times last week–– a development that contradicts previous comments about the longevity of her role.
After the early retirement of former President Steven Currall –– whose term only lasted two years, the shortest in USF’s history –– Law was recommended for the position of interim president by Board of Trustees’ (BOT) Chair Will Weatherford.
“Rhea’s deep ties within our community and her stellar leadership abilities will help us continue our momentum while we find the next great leader for our university,” Weatherford said in a statement last year.
On Aug. 2, 2021, the State University System of Florida Board of Governors (BOG) unanimously approved Law as acting president until a long-term president could be found.
Although initially planning for her time as president to be short-lived, in her letter of intent to Presidential Search Committee Chair Mike Griffin, Law said that USF was at a turning point –– one that required “steady leadership, vision and purpose.”
According to her letter, the pursuit of these qualities is what inspired Law’s application for the permanent position.
“I would like to officially express my interest in serving as USF’s eighth president,” Law said. “When I was asked to serve as interim president of the University of South Florida seven months ago, I pledged to create a smooth glidepath for the next chapter of our university. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined how pivotal this next chapter would be.”
“It would be a distinct honor to continue my service to this community, which has given so much to me. I would like to share some of my vision for our university’s pivotal next chapter – a new era of collaboration as OneUSF.”
During her time as interim president, Law headed the redevelopment of USF’s five-year strategic plan, “In Pursuit of Excellence” and halted controversial plans to develop the USF Forest Preserve.
The plan was unanimously approved by the BOG on Jan. 27 and serves as a guide to USF’s future success.
Law has also advocated for further collaboration between the university’s three campuses under “OneUSF.”
“Since President Law assumed her role, I have been impressed with her thoughtfulness, transparency and collaborative spirit,” said Martin Tadlock, regional chancellor of USF’s St. Petersburg campus.
“[Law] has reached out to members of our St. Petersburg community and helped promote the branch campuses. I enjoy working with her and think she is doing a tremendous job during an important time in USF’s history,” Tadlock said.
During her time as interim president, Law continued her many influential roles, both in and outside of the university system.
Law’s work includes being the former CEO and board chair of Tampa law firm Fowler White Boggs, in which she led the merger of Fowler with national law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in 2014.
She currently serves on the board of directors for both the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and the Tampa Electric Company.
Within USF, Law was a founding member of the university’s BOT, serving as vice chair for five years, four of those as the first and only female chair. She was also a founding member of USF Law Alumni Society’s Board of Directors.
While a part of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Law also had a role in the selection of USF’s two previous presidents.
Since recommending her for the position, Weatherford has continued to show support for Law’s role as president.
“Rhea Law has done an outstanding job as interim president,” Weatherford said in a statement.
“She is not only meeting all the goals we set for her, she has also brought the community together, as evidenced by how much support for her we hear on a daily basis. I believe she has earned the right to be a candidate and should be strongly considered.”
