Dubois Named Chancellor of University of North Carolina at Charlotte

(NOTICE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: President Dubois will hold a media availability on Monday, 11 a.m., in UW's Old Main Board Room. Members of the media who wish to participate via telephone conference call may do so by dialing 877 807 5706 just prior to 11 a.m. Participation code is 321892.)

March 18, 2005 -- Philip L. Dubois, president of the University of Wyoming since 1997, has been elected chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte by the Board of Governors of the 16 campus University of North Carolina. UNC President Molly Corbett Broad placed Dubois' name in nomination today (Friday) during the board's regular March meeting. Dubois' presidency at UW will end on July 1. With vacation leave, Dubois' last day in office will be June 10.

"I have truly enjoyed my eight years in Wyoming and the opportunity to lead this state's only university," says Dubois. "Lisa and I will miss the many people who helped make our time here among the most enjoyable of our lives, professionally and personally. Together, UW trustees, faculty and staff, the Foundation Board and the Cowboy Joe Club, donors and friends, and state political leaders have helped make the University of Wyoming a stronger, more dynamic institution than at any previous time in its history. I am proud to have been part of that process.

"However, the opportunity to return to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as chancellor is one I simply cannot pass up," Dubois continues. "I welcome the challenge of leading UNC Charlotte as it grows into a major research university serving a dynamic metropolitan area," says Dubois. "Like the University of Wyoming, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is growing and improving day by day. I look forward to being part of that process. Lisa and I also will have the pleasure of being near our son, Logan, who next fall will begin his working career nearby, in Raleigh."

Dubois came to UW from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he served as professor of political science and vice chancellor for academic affairs from 1991 97. He is the author or editor of four books and numerous scholarly and professional publications.


Since arriving at UW, Dubois initiated the development of comprehensive academic, support services, and capital facilities plans for the university; strengthened the university's contributions to state economic development through partnerships with the Wyoming Business Council, creation of a technology transfer center, and development of a proposal to create a high tech business incubator; enhanced recruitment and retention of students, reaching in fall 2003 the university's 2005 enrollment goal of 13,000; implemented campus and community initiatives to reduce alcohol abuse and initiated the Greek Life Task Force to strengthen fraternity and sorority life at UW. He worked to increase legislative support and private funding for the university, resulting in a 60 percent increase in the university's state funding and a quadrupling of annual private donations to UW; $48 million in state matching funds for endowed donations and $10 million for athletic facilities; and the university's largest private fundraising campaign, which has exceeded its goal of $125 million.

Major physical changes to the campus have been a hallmark of the Dubois administration, including significant construction projects, such as the Rochelle Athletics Center; renovation of the Wyoming Union, the Washakie Dining Complex, the Biochemistry Building to house the College of Health Sciences, and Prexy's Pasture; and a new Early Care and Education Center to support the University's day care services and teacher preparation programs in early childhood education. Expansion of the Coe Library -- the Information, Library, and Learning Center -- a new anthropology building, and a renovation of the Classroom Building have been funded and are planned over the next several years.

While at UW Dubois served on the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) of Universities and Colleges Council of Presidents and the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education in 2004 presented its annual District 6 Chief Executive Leadership Award to him, citing achievements in several areas, including creating a vision and inspiring others, establishing a positive image for the university, increasing UW's stature in the community, encouraging innovation and risk taking among employees, and actively supporting advancement.

Dubois has been a strong supporter of the UW intercollegiate athletics program. He presided over the achieving of Title IX compliance without having to reduce the number of men's sports; directed the development of a strategic plan for intercollegiate athletics; secured nearly $3 million in one time funding from the Wyoming State Legislature in 2004 for athletics operations and a $10 million matching fund for athletics facilities; and served as chair and president of the Mountain West Conference for its inaugural year of competition (1999 2000). In 2004, he was named to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. In 2005, he was invited to join the Presidential Task Force on the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics.


Dubois earned a bachelor's degree in political science with highest honors from the University of California, Davis, in 1972, earning election to the honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Both his master's (1974) and doctoral (1978) degrees in political science were earned from the University of Wisconsin Madison. From 1976 91, Dubois taught political science at UC Davis, advancing from acting assistant professor to professor.

He is married to Lisa Lewis Dubois. They have three children -- Logan, Taylor, and Ali.

Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005