UofL president Neeli Bendapudi is leaving.
The first woman and person of color to be president of UofL goes to Penn State after three years in Louisville. The college board officially elected Bendapudi as the next president this afternoon.
Less than 24 hours earlier, UofL fans were only afraid of losing Vince Tyra, the UofL’s sporting director. (He has since also announced his departure).
Here’s how we got there:
Wednesday morning
The Penn State Board of Directors announces it will meet at 11 am Thursday to “consider a presidential nomination.”
Wednesday afternoon
Neeli Bendapudi virtually votes to exclude Tyra from his non-compete clause. Tyra had been linked with an available athletic director position in the state of Florida.
Late wednesday evening
Rumors are starting to circulate on Twitter that Bendapudi is also leaving UofL, but for Penn State.
It seems like everyone heard the exact same rumor at the same time.
To be… transparent… I’m talking about the rumor that Neeli Bendapudi will be the new president of Penn State tomorrow.
Suppose we hear something early enough. Never boring.
– Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) December 9, 2021
Thursday morning, 6:36 a.m.
News reports that a Penn State-owned plane is flying to Louisville. It landed around 7:38 a.m.
Flight tracking: President edition
According to FlightAware, a Penn State-owned Cessna is currently in Louisville and is expected to depart for State College, Penn. later this morning. pic.twitter.com/FdRW5PZcuY
– Matt McGavic (@Matt_McGavic) December 9, 2021
Around 8:30 a.m.
Onward State, a student-run news site, quotes an anonymous source as saying Bendapudi will be the college’s next president. Louisville media are following closely reporting the news.
BREAKING: University of Louisville president Dr. Neeli Bendapudi will be Penn State’s next president, pending board approval.
She will be both the first woman and the first person of color to hold the highest office in the university. https://t.co/FXAdbGitks
– Advanced state (@OnwardState) December 9, 2021
WDRB sports reporter Eric Crawford wrote on Twitter that Bendapudi struck a deal with Penn State last Friday, another anonymous source said.
The source says Bendapudi’s deal with Penn State was reached last Friday. Other sources claim that Vince Tyra, like other university officials, was unaware of what was going on.
– Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) December 9, 2021
Around 11h
The Penn State Board of Directors begins broadcasting its meeting.
11:11
Courier Journal reporter Oliva Krauth discovers that Bendapudi’s official UofL account has been deleted. it’s been since reappeared.
And Neeli Bendapudi’s U of L Twitter is gone. pic.twitter.com/BrbSKTRFD5
– Olivia Krauth (@oliviakrauth) December 9, 2021
11:15 a.m.
The Penn State Board of Trustees formally recommends that Bendapudi be elected as the next college president.
Around 11:33 a.m.
The UofL publishes a declaration from Bendapudi announcing his departure. She says: “The decision to embark on a new chapter in my professional career was not easy. I will miss our students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni and supporters, and my management team will miss me. You are all among the best in the nation and are the heart and soul of our institution. “
11:38
After board members share their thoughts on Bendapudi, they officially vote on it. Bendapudi then delivers a speech.
In a press release, Penn State said Bendapudi was selected after a “comprehensive national search.” Penn State board member David Kleppinger told the meeting that 80 people were being considered for the job.
In a statement, Penn State Board Chairman Matt Schuyler said, “We are proud to welcome Dr. Bendapudi to Penn State. She is a dynamic and innovative leader who has devoted most of her professional life to higher education and is ready to help our university advance in the way we support students, create new knowledge and serve society.
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