Chatham University Names 21st President
Lisa Lambert, who has served in the interim role since June 1, is appointed the permanent president.
LISA LAMBERT IS NAMED THE 21st PRESIDENT OF CHATHAM UNIVERSITY | PHOTO COURTESY CHATHAM UNIVERSITY
Lisa Lambert has been a part of Chatham University‘s community since 1985, wearing many hats from biology faculty to vice president of academic affairs to interim president.
Now, Lambert has been appointed as the permanent president of the university.
She stepped into the role of interim president in June, after previous President Rhonda Phillips left after only two years in the position to pursue a different endeavor.
Chatham University’s Board of Trustees selected Lambert for the permanent role at a special meeting to assess her time as interim president and to look at feedback from a presidential transition committee.
Kent McElhattan, board of trustees chair, said in a statement that Lambert has made herself invaluable during her five months of interim leadership.
“Dr. Lambert’s extensive experience and deep commitment to Chatham University make her the ideal choice as our permanent president,” McElhattan stated.
Lambert has left quite a mark on the private university previous to being appointed, serving in several administration positions and founding Chatham’s MS Biology program.
She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honors society in the United States, recognized for her research in iron homeostasis, the body’s process for maintaining a stable amount of iron.
Lambert has a bachelor of science degree in biology from Furman University in South Carolina and a Ph.D. in genetics from Indiana University-Bloomington.
She said in a statement that she is honored to be named president after having Chatham as a central part of her life for many years.
“As president, I look forward to collaborating closely with our students, faculty, staff and alumni as we focus on the university’s mission and Chatham’s continued engagement in Pittsburgh and the western Pennsylvania region,” she stated.
Founded as Pennsylvania Female College in 1869, Chatham University began enrolling men as undergraduate students in 2015.
