University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin announced Monday he would be stepping down from his role at year's end.
Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the 66-year-old Loftin will transition to a new role overseeing the development and renovation of the school's research facilities, according to a statement from the University of Missouri system. Loftin became Mizzou's chancellor in February 2014.
“It has been my pleasure to serve as chancellor of this great institution. I hope that every member of our campus community will embrace each person’s right to express their opinions in a respectful manner and to make progress toward our common goal of an inclusive campus that values the contributions of all individuals," Loftin said in a statement. "I am excited for my new challenge to lead the university’s research facility development.”
Hank Foley, Mizzou's senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, will serve as interim chancellor.
Loftin's resignation announcement comes just hours after University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe announced he would leave his role, effective immediately. The embattled president faced calls for his resignation from students, faculty and even state lawmakers over how he handled racial tensions on campus.
Discontent with Mizzou leadership has brewed for some time, but hit a critical point when more than 30 black players on the school's football team announced over the weekend they would not practice or participate in any team activities until Wolfe resigned.
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