The Council of The University of the West Indies has appointed Professor Eon Nigel Harris to succeed Professor the Hon Rex Nettleford as Vice Chancellor. The decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the Council held at the Sherbourne Centre in Barbados on Saturday, December 13. A Guyanese by birth, Professor Harris is currently Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, USA. He is internationally known for his work as a Rheumatologist. His academic achievements and personal qualities have earned Professor Harris national leadership positions in organisations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National Centre for Research Resources and the Association of Academic Health Centres. He has received many honours and awards, including the Centennial Award of the National Medical Association of America in 1995 for contributions to medicine. Professor Harris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University, with a Degree in Chemistry. He then proceeded on a Fellowship to Yale University, where he received a Master of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry. He earned his Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, completing this within three years and again graduating with honours. He then returned to the Caribbean where he completed his residency in internal medicine at The University of the West Indies at Mona and was awarded the post-graduate degree, Doctor of Medicine. In 1996 Professor Harris was appointed Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine where he proved to be an outstanding administrator, well liked by both faculty and students and particularly sensitive to student needs. Since his appointment as Dean, publications by the academic staff quadrupled, citations increased nine-fold and research funding doubled. Professor Harris is married to Dr C. Yvette Williams-Harris, a general internist at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Atlanta and they have three children. He is expected to assume the post of Vice-Chancellor on August 1, 2004 when the incumbent, Professor the Hon Rex Nettleford demits Office.