UD Trustees Announce Presidential Transition
Date Published: Friday, April 13, 2018
University of Dallas Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas M. Zellers, M.D., announced
today that President Thomas W. Keefe, J.D., will be completing his tenure at the university
at the end of this academic term. The university will begin a search for a new president
this summer.
In an announcement emailed to the university community, Zellers said, “After careful
consideration and prayer, the University of Dallas Board of Trustees has determined
that the university would benefit from a change in leadership in order to continue
to grow and maintain its position as one of the nation’s leading Catholic universities.”
The announcement noted Keefe’s many contributions to the university in his eight years
as president, stating that the university had “benefited considerably from President
Keefe’s contributions over these past eight years.” Zellers also said that Keefe parts
with “the appreciation of the board, faculty, staff, student body and alumni.”
During the initial phase of the transition, in keeping with university policy, John
Plotts, Ed.D., executive vice president for enrollment management and student affairs,
will act in the president’s stead when necessary. According to Zellers, the board
plans to appoint an interim president while the university conducts a national search
for its next president.
Zellers also said, “The board of trustees is committed to ensuring that our students
continue to receive the exceptional education that has given the University of Dallas
a well-earned reputation as The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers.”
The announcement concluded by asking the university community to “join the trustees
in remaining focused on our mission of education in pursuit of wisdom, truth and virtue
that leads to the formation of leaders who act responsibly for their own good and
for the good of their family, community, country and church.”