President Steven Leath is leaving Auburn University.
Leath and members of the Board of Trustees' presidential assessment working group have decided to part ways, according to a press release from the University late Friday evening.
"Dr. Leath arrived with passion and enthusiasm to take Auburn to the next level," said Wayne Smith, president pro tempore of the University's board. "We're grateful for his dedication and commitment as Auburn made strides as world-class public university. We wish Steven and Janet all the best."
Preston Sparks, director of the University's communication and marketing, said the University has no comment at this point on the departure other than what was in the release.
"As I've said many times, serving as Auburn's president has been the highlight of my career," Leath said in the release. "I'm confident we leave Auburn stronger than when we arrived."
The Auburn board will soon convene to name an interim president, according to Smith.
Leath was officially installed as the 19th Auburn University president on March 29, 2018.
Under his leadership, the University earned a Carnegie R1 designation, placing it in the Top 100 research universities in the nation.
Before his time at Auburn in 2017, Leath served as president of Iowa State University and vice president of research and sponsored programs for the University of North Carolina System. He holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University, the University of Delaware and the University of Illinois.
He was also recently named secretary of the Council of Presidents for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.
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