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Rutgers gets first Black president

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Rutgers University named the first African American president in the schools history Tuesday, reports CNN. The university’s Board of Governors appointed Jonathan Holloway as its 21st president following a unanimous vote on Tuesday morning. Board of Governors Chairman Mark Angelson addressed a room of university officials following the announcement, calling Holloway “an extraordinarily distinguished scholar” who is “thoughtful, visionary, inclusive and decisive.” Said Angelson: “He leads with remarkable integrity, and is just the right person to build upon Rutgers’ long tradition as an academic and research powerhouse.” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, also in attendance, said it was a historic day for Rutgers and “equally importantly, a historic day for New Jersey and our state’s future.”  Holloway said he is excited to take on his new role as president. “I was drawn to the opportunity at Rutgers University because of its amazing history, its foundation of excellence in teaching and its ambition to continue conducting life-changing research that improves our communities, our country and our world,” he said. “Please know in everything that I do here I expect to be held to the same high standards to which I will hold others, and that I dare presume exist here already.” Holloway ended his address with a story from his time in graduate school 29 years ago and recounted how he called his now-deceased mother to discuss what he thought was a potential job offer from esteemed historian David Levering Lewis at Rutgers University. Holloway currently serves as the provost at Northwestern University where he is also a professor of history and African American studies.

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