One simple word—its addition or removal—makes a difference. Just after electing Lori Bettison-Varga as Scripps’ next president, the Board of Trustees voted to remove “interim” from Fritz Weis’s title and make him the official 7th president of Scripps College. Some might equate this with having an asterisk removed from a world record.
Fritz Weis has served as interim president since July 1, 2007, as the College conducted a national search for a president.
Board Chair Roxanne Wilson ’76 bestowed the honor on a surprised Weis at a trustee dinner Saturday night, March 28. Both Fritz and Mary Fraser Weis ’66 were toasted and thanked for their outstanding and extraordinary service to the College; their children, Annie Weis (CMC ’94) and Matt Weis (Pitzer ’93) were there to share in the celebration.
A resolution by the Board proclaiming Fritz Weis president of Scripps College states, in part: “Individually and as a couple, Fritz Weis and his wife, Scripps alumna Mary Fraser Weis, are models of unselfish devotion to the College, freely giving of their time and energies to friend raising, fundraising, and whatever else is in the best interest of the College.
“Therefore, be it resolved: that the Scripps Board of Trustees takes enormous pride in the leadership provided by Fritz Weis during an important transition time of the College. He served the College with generosity, wisdom, and exceptional sound judgment. Through his good efforts, Scripps is better positioned to move to new levels of achievement and national recognition. It is with gratitude that the Board confers the title of President of the College on Frederick M. Weis for the academic years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.”