Provost Tony Waldrop met with students and staff and faculty members on his first day at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.

Meet the New Provost: Watch a of Provost Waldrop’s first day on campus and send him a message.

Smiles, handshakes and enthusiasm greeted Provost Tony Waldrop when he officially began his tenure at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ on Friday, July 30.

Waldrop’s first official day featured a nearly three-hour campus tour, with stops including Health Services, Nike Village, the Student Success Center and the under-construction Performing Arts Center.

A former world-class runner, Waldrop already had jogged around parts of campus. Friday, however, was his first opportunity to tour inside several buildings and meet with students and staff and faculty members.

β€œIt’s clear that they care passionately about ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½,” Waldrop said.

β€œI have a lot to learn, not only about ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ but also about the people here,” he added. β€œIt’s the people who make a university great.”

Waldrop came to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where since 2001 he had served as vice chancellor for research and economic development. In this position, he was responsible for 12 university-wide research support offices and 15 research centers.

He has a B.A. in Political Science, an M.A. in Physical Education and a Ph.D. in Physiology, all from UNC.

The provost is the second-highest ranking officer of the university and provides academic leadership for the university’s 12 colleges, multiple campuses and research centers and institutes. The provost oversees academic support services and student services and is responsible for curriculum, academic planning, faculty appointments, faculty development and promotion and tenure decisions.