The University of North Carolina Board of Governors unanimously selected two new officers during a special meeting of the board. 

The board elected Randy Ramsey to serve as Chairman and Wendy Murphy as Vice Chairman to fill vacancies created when former Chair Harry Smith resigned effective October 1. Both of these appointments will be in effect until June 30, 2020. The board also voted to waive its 30 day waiting period for the election of new officers during the meeting.

Chair Ramsey was first appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly to the board for a four-year term in 2017. He previously served as vice chair of the board, as well as on two committees: the Committee on University Governance and the Committee on Strategic Initiatives. Chair Ramsey is focused on working towards outcomes that reduce student debt, grow four-year graduation rates, and provide higher education access to all citizens of the state. He is also very passionate about helping young people find resources to make their pathways to an education easier.

“It is my great honor and privilege to serve as chairman of the board, and I want to thank my fellow members for entrusting in me with this responsibility,” Chair Ramsey said. “I’d like to thank Governor Smith for his service and the great work that he has accomplished during his time as chair. The initiatives that he has put in place have done a great deal for the State of North Carolina and I look forward to continuing in this effort going forward.”

Vice Chair Murphy was appointed by the General Assembly to serve a four year term on the board in 2017. Mrs. Murphy is the chair of the Committee on Personnel and Tenure and serves on the Historically Minority-Serving Institutions Committee.

“I am extremely proud and grateful to have the chance to serve in this new role,” Vice Chair Murphy said. “I wish to thank the entire board of governors for their support, and I look forward to working to further our great North Carolina public education system in the coming days, weeks and months.”

Secretary Pearl Burris Floyd will continue to serve in that role going forward. Secretary Burris-Floyd was appointed by the General Assembly in 2015 and reappointed in 2019 to serve a four year term. Sec. Burris-Floyd serves on two committees: the University Governance Committee and as secretary on the Historically Minority-Serving Institutions Committee.