College of Science Dean Kevin Carman accepted the provost and executive vice president position at the University of Nevada, Reno, on Saturday, which will leave LSU with another empty administrative position.
His employment at UNR takes effect Feb. 1.
Carman’s position will be added to a handful of administrative positions that have opened since the spring.
In March, former E.J. Ourso College of Business Dean Eli Jones left the University to become the dean at the University of Arkansas’ business school.
In April, the LSU System Board of Supervisors ousted former System President John Lombardi, and in May, former Chancellor Michael Martin accepted a position as chancellor of the Colorado State University System.
Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins, who previously served as chancellor and system president, is temporarily filling both positions.
Carman said a search firm at UNR sought him out, and he was offered the position on Thursday. He will earn $292,500 a year, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
“I didn’t know much about the university,” Carman said. “But the more I learned, the more I was impressed.”
He particularly liked that he would have some oversight of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Carman also said he’s looking forward to working with Marc Johnson, UNR’s new president, who was appointed in April.
Though he’s made the decision to leave, Carman said he has no bitter feelings about the University despite working through recent budget cuts.
“I have great affection for LSU and always will,” he said. “It was just time for me to consider another professional opportunity.”
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell thanked Carman for his contributions to LSU.
“We appreciate the leadership that Kevin Carman has provided to the College of Science,” Bell said in a statement. “He has worked hard to enhance the College of Science and its research and teaching efforts, while also recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary research opportunities across campus.”
University officials will appoint an interim dean to the College of Science and the University will enter a national search for Carman’s permanent replacement, according to University Relations.
Having two children who attend the University and working at it for more than 23 years, Carman said Baton Rouge will be hard to leave behind.
“We have so many friends here…and the food and the culture, we’ll miss it,” he said.
