Chancellor Dan Jones Leaving University of Mississippi Post

Photo courtesy Robert Jordan, UM Communications

Sources close to the administration and alumni have confirmed University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones will be stepping down from his post after six years. Administrators have been notified of an announcement to be made at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Photo courtesy Robert Jordan, UM Communications

Jones emailed a letter to Ole Miss faculty, staff and students Friday afternoon regarding the situation, stating his contract would end Sept. 15 of this year.

Jones was diagnosed with lymphoma in early November of last year. An office was set up for him at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson so he could work from the state capital while receiving treatment. Jones completed his last scheduled round of chemotherapy at the end of February.

The university’s 16th chancellor, Jones has served on the Oxford campus since July 2009 and has overseen tremendous growth in the university’s enrollment and national recognition. The Vicksburg native has sought to make service to others a vital component of the student experience at Ole Miss.

Photo courtesy Robert Jordan, UM Communications

Before becoming chancellor, Jones led the Medical Center for six years as vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. He also was the school’s Herbert G. Langford Professor of Medicine. He is a former national president of the American Heart Association and is a member of the AHA Council for High Blood Pressure Research.

After a Mississippi Public Universities board of trustees meeting Thursday, contracts were extended for the presidents of Delta State University, Jackson State University and University of Southern Mississippi. Calls to Jones, chief communications officer Tom Epps and director of public relations Danny Blanton were not returned.

Jones was born in Morton and to high school in Vicksburg. March 19 was his birthday.

HottyToddy.com staff report