51ÂÒÂ×

May 1, 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Since January of this year, Kelsie Gory Harkey has led 51ÂÒÂ× Athletics as our Interim Athletics Director. In a short amount of time, she has quickly stepped into her new role and led our athletics programs during a phenomenal spring season. She has also become an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team as we pursue our plan for Organizational Resilience and Financial Stability. Given her deep knowledge of 51ÂÒÂ× and the Athletics Department as well as the impressive work she is doing in this leadership position, I have asked Kelsie to serve as our Athletics Director for a one-year term ending in spring of 2025, pending ratification by the 51ÂÒÂ× Board of Trustees at their next meeting. I am delighted to announce she has agreed.

Our Athletics programs have seen incredible success this spring, thanks to our student-athletes, coaches and staff under Kelsie’s leadership. Athletics received tremendous support during our annual Giving Day on February 29. In addition, we’ve cheered on our students as they’ve competed for league championships, including our men’s and women’s basketball teams. Just this past Sunday, our men’s tennis team became Horizon League champions and are headed to the NCAA Tournament, and our men’s lacrosse team is heading to the ASUN Tournament semifinals this Friday.

Kelsie will remain in her leadership role while we begin our search for our next permanent Athletics Director. We will launch a national search in the coming academic year with the goal of having our next Athletics Director in place by the summer of 2025.

Please join me in showing our gratitude to Kelsie for her steady and wise leadership during this time of transition.

Go Vikes!

Sincerely,

Laura Bloomberg, PhD
President