Gonzalez announced Wednesday that School of Dentistry Dean Gerry Bradley will serve as interim provost. Dean since 2016, Bradley has extensive academic and administrative experience, previously serving as associate dean for research and graduate studies and chair of developmental sciences at the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Since coming to UofL, he has played a key role in many important initiatives at the university, including serving as chair of several dean searches and co-chairing the Executive Budget Steering Committee.

Margaret Hill, associate dean for academic affairs, will lead the School of Dentistry as interim dean.

Gonzalez also appointed Gail DePuy, professor of industrial engineering and interim vice provost in the Center for Engaged Learning, to serve as interim senior vice provost. She will have oversight of the other vice provosts and oversee key initiatives in the provost’s office.  A former acting dean of the Speed School of Engineering, DePuy has been instrumental in developing and shepherding the university’s strategic planning effort since 2019.

Paul DeMarco, professor of psychological and brain sciences and interim director of undergraduate research and creative activity, will assume the role of interim vice provost for the CEL.

The appointments are effective immediately.

“With these changes to our already strong leadership team, and with the continued outstanding efforts of you, our faculty and staff, we are well positioned to continue our growth as a premier anti-racist metropolitan research university that creates thriving futures for students, our community and society,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also said she expects to fill two other key positions, the vice provost for faculty affairs and the vice president for diversity and equity, “in the coming weeks.”

Durbin has served as associate vice president for health affairs/chief financial officer for the UofL Health Sciences Center since May 2017. Bendapudi stressed that his appointment will help tie the university’s campuses together, streamlining administration and improving consistency among departments.

Durbin previously served as senior associate vice president for administration and finance at West Virginia University. He joined the WVU Division of Finance in 2006. Before joining the finance division, he held financial and administrative leadership positions at the WVU Health Sciences Center for nearly 20 years, ultimately becoming its director of budget and financial operations.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia, and his master’s in public administration from WVU.

Durbin also serves as a peer reviewer and evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Shafer is currently head of business development and investor relations for Ramsey Quantitative Systems Inc., a specialty finance firm/hedge fund in Louisville. He also is principal and founder of BRS Consulting, a firm that provides fundraising, training and development search services.

He has 21 years of experience in higher education, most recently as vice president of development for the College Foundation at the University of Virginia. Previous roles include associate dean of advancement and executive director of the Kenan-Flagler Business School Foundation, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; and director of estate and gift planning and professional outreach at Arizona State University Foundation.

He served six years in the United States Air Force Guard, was promoted three times and was honorably discharged. 

Shafer holds a bachelor of science in education and a master of education in higher education administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He earned his juris doctor at the Creighton University School of Law.

While Shafer is serving in the interim role, the university will begin a national search for a permanent vice president for advancement.

“These positions are vital to the success of the University of Louisville,” Bendapudi said. “I am so pleased to have them join our leadership team. Dan and Brad are outstanding professionals, and they will play key roles in helping us shape the future of the university. They are hitting the ground running.”