UCSD Chancellor Fox Steps Down

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox announced Tuesday she will step down in June 2012 to return to teaching and research as a professor of chemistry at the university. Chancellor Fox has been at the helm of the university since 2004. She was the seventh chancellor and first woman to be appointed a permanent chancellor at UCSD.

“During her tenure as chancellor at UC San Diego, Marye Anne Fox has added striking breadth and depth to the university’s already sterling reputation,” said Mark Yudof, president of the University of California in an announcement. “The accomplishments of her service give renewed energy and purpose to the institute, and set a visionary course for the 21st century.”

Fox is the 2010 recipient of the from President Barack Obama, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists, engineers and inventors. Under her tenure the campus and faculty earned Nobel and Pulitzer prizes, and garnered top rankings

“I consider it a privilege beyond measure to work with so many extraordinary scholars, teachers, scientists, doctors, staff members and students,” said Fox in the announcement. “The university has all of the human and creative resources we need to achieve even greater success in the decades ahead.”

Prior to joining UCSD, Fox served as chancellor and distinguished university professor of chemistry at North Carolina State University, a post she held from 1999 to 2004. And before joining North Carolina, she spent 22 years at the University of Texas.

Office of the President will begin an international search for her successor this fall.