Duke University’s new president is on the job. Vincent Price begins his tenure as the school’s tenth president this week. Price has a PhD in communications from Stanford, and most recently served as the Provost at the University of Pennsylvania.
Related: Incoming President Vows To Redefine Higher Ed, Make Duke A Model For Diversity
At his introductory news conference in December, Price said he will put a priority on Duke’s relationship with the community.
“We can continue Durham’s recent ascendance as an innovative community of startups, working very closely with our neighbors to advance the quality of life with the wider community and to catalyze new scientific, medical, cultural, and artistic ventures,” he said.
Price will oversee a university with more than 37,000 employees and about 15,000 students.
Among his first tasks will be to hire several high-profile positions: the School of Law, the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Nicholas School of the Environment all need new deans.
On a lighter note, Price has said he quickly learned the importance of the color blue.
“Blue has been associated with loyalty, truth, and faith,” Price said. “I have faith. I am true now to only one shade of blue. It’s not too light, it’s not too dark. It’s perfect. It’s Duke blue.”