Purdue provost named chancellor of Rutgers University–New Brunswick

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Rutgers Board of Governors announced Thursday (April 6) the naming of Purdue University’s Provost Deba Dutta as its next chancellor of Rutgers University–New Brunswick. The appointment becomes effective on July 1.

Dutta, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, will remain at Purdue through June 30. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is the only public institution in New Jersey represented in the prestigious Association of American Universities. It is also a member of the Big Ten Conference and its academic counterpart, the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

President Mitch Daniels shared the news of Dutta’s departure in an e-mail to the campus community earlier Thursday.

“Provost Dutta has made an enormous, positive difference for Purdue in less than three years. He has proven himself an effective change agent in a sector where such people are scarce,” Daniels said. “Having a leader as talented and accomplished as Provost Dutta brings with it the risk that others take notice. This is one such example.”

Dutta joined Purdue in 2014. During his tenure, he has overseen the growth of the College of Engineering and programs within computer science, business and nursing, as well as the transformation of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. He also ensured that diversity and inclusion were chief priorities for all areas of the university, including faculty, students and staff.

“I have enjoyed working closely with the deans, vice provosts and other leaders to move Purdue forward along several fronts,” Dutta said. “And, I have learned much from President Daniels’ focus on affordability and accountability in higher education, and I appreciate the support I have received from the trustees. For all this and more, I remain grateful.”

Dutta served previously at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Michigan. He received his doctoral degree in industrial engineering from Purdue and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He also holds a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Evansville and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Jadavpur University in Calcutta, India.

Jay Akridge, Purdue’s Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, will serve as interim provost. Karen Plaut, senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs within the College of Agriculture, will serve as the college’s interim dean. An internal search for a new provost will commence at the beginning of the next academic year.

Contact: Brian Zink, Purdue University News and Information, 765-494-2080, bzink@purdue.edu