The University of the South celebrates the election of Sidney alumnus Professor Brigety as Sewanee's 17th Vice-Chancellor and President.

Professor Brigety studied International Relations at Sidney in the late 1990s. He went on to become dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University and former US ambassador to the African Union. He has now been elected the University of the South’s 17th Vice-Chancellor and President by the Board of Trustees. The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving, chancellor of the University and chair of the Board of Trustees, announced Brigety’s election in February and he will begin his duties later this year.

Professor Brigety will be the first African-American to be Vice-Chancellor in the University's 150+ year history. Speaking about the appointment, Professor Brigety noted, “It is my honor and privilege to serve as the next Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South, an institution that holds a truly distinctive place in American higher education. During the search process, I got a glimpse of what makes Sewanee so special—an intellectual rigor coupled with an unparalleled sense of community, and a strong sense of place that is inclusive of everybody who finds their way here".

On his time spent at Sidney and Cambridge, Professor Brigety said, "My time at Cambridge in general, and at Sidney in particular, was singularly transformative in my life - both professionally and personally. I have extremely fond memories of my experiences there and I maintain very strong friendships amongst my Sidney compatriots to this day."

"Sewanee has deep historical ties to Cambridge. The University was founded on a mountaintop in Tennessee by southern Episcopalians in 1860. Within months, the United States was convulsed by the Civil War. Following the war, the University was 're-founded' in 1868, an occurrence made possible in no small measure by generous donations made by Anglican churchmen and lay leaders during a trip to England by the Rt. Rev. Quintard, Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. Bishop Quintard's visit to Cambridge was particularly meaningful for Sewanee not only in terms of funds raised, but also for many of the rituals that he observed while there that are still used at Sewanee to this day - such as the wearing of the traditional scarlet ermine by the Vice-Chancellor during important university occasions."

Read more about Professor Brigety and his appointment on the University of the South website.


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