With the hustle and bustle of classes it’s easy to forget the University works on many levels and has multiple people at the top to keep it running. Those people are the University’s administrators and often go unnoticed by the general student body. The top four administrators are the heartbeat of the University and deal with a variety of non-class-related issues on a daily basis. The Red & Black has compiled a list of the University’s top administrators and their specific roles.

University President: Michael Adams

Michael F. Adams is the University’s twenty-first president and has been serving as such since June 11, 1997. As president, Adams has identified three themes for the growth of the University: building a new learning environment, maximizing research opportunities and competing in a global economy. Before becoming the University’s president, Adams served as vice president for university affairs at Pepperdine University and president of Centre College in Danville, K.Y.

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost: Arnett Mace

Arnett Mace is second-in-command at the University, serving as the senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. Mace oversees instruction, research, public service and outreach, and student affairs – meaning vice presidents from each area reports directly to Mace. Deans from each of the University’s schools and colleges also report to the provost. In January Mace announced he would be retiring at the end of the year, and a search is now underway for a new provost, who will be named in September.

Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration: Tim Burgess

Tim Burgess is the University’s senior vice president for Finance and Administration. The department manages areas in the University such as payroll, student accounts, employee benefits, parking services, the University bookstore, food services, campus maintenance and landscaping. Burgess, a 1977 graduate of the University, took his position at the University July 1, 2006.

Senior Vice President for External Affairs: Tom Landrum

Tom Landrum manages the University’s fundraising, public affairs, alumni relation, financial and fundraising support services, donor relations and stewardship, and special events. Each of these fall under the University’s “advancement program,” for which the senior vice president for external affairs is responsible. Landrum took his position at the University Jan. 1, 2008 after serving an interim – or temporary – basis for one year.