Welcome Message from President Freeman

August 1, 2023

Dear Members of the Boston University Community:

I reach out as interim president to extend greetings to the BU community as we work together to sustain and build upon the momentum of the University. We have benefited from a period of unparalleled stability and progress during the presidency of Bob Brown and are grateful for his transformational leadership.

During the past two months, Bob Brown and other Boston University senior leaders have provided detailed briefings about our broad array of academic programs, the student experience, alumni relations, enrollment management, financial affairs, facilities, public safety, and more. My experience was in the corporate world before joining Boston University thirteen years ago. The management systems and processes in place here are comparable to the very best in the private sector. They provide a solid platform that will enable us to further advance implementation of the 2030 Strategic Plan, take advantage of new opportunities, and effectively address the inevitable challenges that arise.

My mandate as your interim president is to move the University forward, rather than to serve as a caretaker. We will further our efforts to provide an outstanding academic and student experience, elevate our research agenda, and advance a high-performing inclusive culture. We will continue to build a world-class faculty and staff and uphold the highest standards of academic quality.

It is a tremendous honor to serve as your interim president. We have a rich past spanning 184 years, and we have a bright future!

Sincerely,

Kenneth W. Freeman
President Ad Interim

*This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and alumni on 8/1/23.