Rodney D. Bennett will step down as chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on Jan. 12.
Kathy Ankerson will serve as interim chancellor. Ankerson previously served as the university’s executive vice chancellor from January 2022 until retiring on Dec. 31, 2024. She also has held roles as dean, associate dean and professor in the College of Architecture. Read more about Ankerson, including her first message to campus as interim chancellor.
Snapshots from Chancellor Bennett's tenure
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett poses with members of the UNL Choir during an inauguration trip to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025.Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett looks over a preserved tractor at the Lester S. Larsen Tractor Museum. The tractor, used by the last homesteader in Alaska, was put on display at Homestead national Historic Park.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett checks himself in a mirror to adjust regalia before commencement on Aug. 12, 2023.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett helps direct members of the Cornhusker Marching Band during practice on Aug. 17, 2023 in Westbrook Music Building.
First-year Huskers run onto the turf at Memorial Stadium after Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett (left) opened the gates to Tom Osborne Field on Aug. 18, 2023.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett poses with student Rashedul Hasan on the first day of classes on Aug. 21, 2023. Bennett greeted Huskers with cookies on what was the start of his first semester on campus.
Innocents Society members and Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett dance during a homecoming celebration on Oct. 23, 2023.
Chancellor Rodney Bennett and his wife, Temple, wave to the crowd as they roll down R Street during the homecoming parade on Oct. 27, 2023.
Sebastian Toalson gestures to family and friends after Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett had him stop, as the last graduate to walk across stage on Dec. 15, 2023 and show the diploma to the crowd.
Chancellor Rodney Bennett talks with Austin Kamm, a senior at Lincoln Southwest and an incoming UNL student, before the Ag Week Proclamation ceremony at Nebraska Innovation Greenhouse pm March 20, 2024.
While wearing oversized Nebraska baseball caps, Rocco Zimmerman and UNL Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett pose for a photo at the Presidential Scholar breakfast on March 22, 2024.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett shakes hands with Gen. Anthony J. Cotton during a Husker football pre-game celebration in the Nebraska Union on Nov. 2, 2024.
While covering his eyes with protective glasses, Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett looks at the partial solar eclipse while on the Nebraska Union Plaza on April 8, 2024.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett congratulates Midshipman Olivia Nolan as she receives the Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Award during the Joint Service Chancellor's Review in Cook Pavilion on April 18, 2024.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett and U. S. Senator Deb Fischer talk about the Nebraska Innovation Campus following a May 6, 2024 groundbreaking.
Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett offers coffee to a student in the Nebraska Union during finals week on Dec. 16, 2024.
Bennett shared his decision in a Jan. 5 message to students, faculty and staff. He cited enrollment stabilization, increases in first-year student retention and six-year graduation rates, growth in sponsored research awards, record fundraising totals and the development of a financial sustainability plan.
In the message, Bennett thanked faculty, staff, extension professionals, university leadership, alumni and donors. He also acknowledged students and said he plans to pursue other opportunities related to higher education.
Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system, thanked Bennett and his family for their service to UNL and its community.
“I am grateful to Chancellor Bennett for his service to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,” Gold said in a Jan. 5 message. “During his tenure as UNL’s 21st chancellor, he led the campus through a period of significant challenge and progress.”
