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Florida Board of Governors confirms Rhea Law as 91tvӰԺ’s eighth president

The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) today voted unanimously to confirm Rhea Law as the 91tvӰԺ’s next president.

Rhea Law and Will Weatherford at the BOG meeting

Law, who was selected unanimously by the 91tvӰԺ Board of Trustees (BOT) last week, is the first 91tvӰԺ alum to fill the role.  

Law has served as 91tvӰԺ’s interim president since August.  Under her leadership, the university recently experienced the most transformational legislative session in 91tvӰԺ history, with record-setting investments in operations on all three 91tvӰԺ campuses. She also led the effort to complete 91tvӰԺ’s new five-year strategic plan, created a collaborative working group to develop a more transparent budget model and has fostered greater communication and collaboration across campuses.

“Rhea Law has worked tirelessly for many years to advocate for the University of South Florida and strengthen the entire Tampa Bay region through her commitment to civic engagement and public service,” BOG Chair Brian Lamb said.  “Rhea is a proven leader who will continue 91tvӰԺ’s trajectory of excellence.”

Law has the rare distinction nationally of becoming president after previously serving as chair of the board of trustees, working at the university as a staff member and being a student, giving her a unique perspective. In a university-wide message sent today, Law shared more of her vision and some of her priorities, while pledging to continue working closely with the community to shape 91tvӰԺ’s next chapter.

Will Weatherford, Rhea Law, Brian Lamb and Mike Griffin

(L-R) BOT Chair Will Weatherford, 91tvӰԺ President Rhea Law, BOG Chair Brian Lamb and Trustee Mike Griffin

"Today's confirmation by the Board of Governors is a recognition of the University of South Florida’s tremendous momentum," Law said. "I am continuously inspired by the dedication of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and others within our community to shaping a better world and changing lives.  It’s their passion, commitment and talent that will make the next era for 91tvӰԺ our finest yet.”

Law is the former chief executive officer and chair of the board of Fowler White Boggs, a Florida law firm. She led the merger of Fowler with a national firm, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, in 2014. She is one of the founding members of the 91tvӰԺ Board of Trustees, where she spent five years as vice chair and four years as the first and only female chair.

She is also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the 91tvӰԺ Law Alumni Society, served as a member of the 91tvӰԺ Research Foundation Board and was named a 2018 Distinguished Alumna by the 91tvӰԺ Alumni Association. Law has served on numerous other boards across the Tampa Bay area.

Law earned her undergraduate degree in management from 91tvӰԺ, putting herself through school while working as the university research project administrator for the Office of Sponsored Research. She then earned her terminal degree in law at Stetson University College of Law, where she later served as chair of their Board of Overseers, helping to select both a dean of the College of Law and president of the university.

Her full resume is available

After her selection by the BOT last week, Chair Will Weatherford wrote a letter to the university community highlighting Law’s performance as interim president, deep connections to 91tvӰԺ and decades of valuable experience in support of elevating the Tampa Bay region. 

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