Seven months after signing a lucrative extension to his original contract, University of Michigan President Santa Ono has announced he’s leaving to take a similar position at the University of Florida.
In a message posted the U-M president’s office website, Ono assured the Michigan community the decision to move on wasn’t made lightly.
“I write today to share that I have been selected as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida, and once the appointment is approved by their Board of Governors, I expect to assume that role later this summer,” Ono wrote.
“Serving as your president these past three academic years has been a distinct honor,” he added.
The U-M Board of Regents thanked Ono for his service and noted that he has agreed to stay on until an interim president is named, the board wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff Sunday,.
“Over the course of his tenure, he has encouraged all of us to dream boldly, to fearlessly explore ideas, to push the boundaries of knowledge and to be daring in our plans so that we could achieve more than we ever thought was possible,” the email said. “We are working thoughtfully and expeditiously as we execute our transition plan and we will be sharing more details in the near future.”
The University of Florida confirmed the decision on its website, saying the selection of Ono was made through an “extensive and thorough” selection process.
“Dr. Ono’s proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice,” Rahul Patel, chair of the presidential search committee, said in a statement. “We are confident he is the right person to build on UF’s strong foundation and help realize our bold vision for the future.”
Ono had previously served as president of the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. His initial contract was a five-year deal that paid him $975,000 a year, plus an additional $350,000 in deferred compensation. In October, the Board of Regents extended the deal through 2032, with a $1.3 million per-year raise.
In the message he posted announcing his departure, Ono noted several initiatives as the university’s top accomplishments during his tenure. Those included efforts aimed at sustainability, artificial intelligence, urban outreach and the “Look to Michigan” campaign, a $7 billion fund-raising effort that is more than halfway to its goal. He also noted the launch of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute to combat antisemitism and the planned Institute on Civic Discourse, which aims to promote dialogue and understanding.
