Photo  courtesy of lafayette.edu

It was announced Monday that Provost Wendy Hill will be leaving Lafayette at the end of June. She will become the head of The Agnes Irwin School, a college prep school for girls located in Rosemont, Pa.

Dr. Wendy Hill has been an influential figure on campus for the past quarter-century, associated with a variety of increasingly powerful positions and accomplishments. Hill arrived at Lafayette in 1989 as an assistant professor baring a bachelor’s in psychology and Ph.D. in animal behavior. By 2000, she was promoted to a full professor and in 2003 did sabbatical research with funding from the National Science Foundation.

In 2007, Hill became Lafayette’s Provost, the senior academic administrator of the institution. Since then she has worked to implement Lafayette’s ongoing strategic plan, develop the new common course of study for all students, increase interdisciplinary initiatives, increase and improve faculty, and widen diversity. Hill described her time at Lafayette as “rewarding” and “wonderful,” and noted that she particularly enjoyed teaching students, whether in the classroom or in conducting research.

Hill is looking forward to her time at The Agnes Irwin School, located about 60 miles south of Easton. The school was founded by the great great granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin nearly 150 years ago. She described the school as “a place that is not afraid to be bold and innovative.”

“I believe in the continued need for the kind of education offered by institutions such as the Agnes Irwin School to ensure that we educate the next generation of female leaders and engaged citizens,” Hill wrote in an email. “I was impressed with the poise, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm of the girls I met during my visits to campus, and felt a real connection to the talented and dedicated faculty and staff…I am delighted to have the opportunity to help lead this special institution.”