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Former UO VP for Research Kimberly Espy adds to long trail

It’s been 10 years since Espy left UO. Many of those who had to deal with her have moved on or retired – but they still haven’t forgotten. Thanks to a reader for passing on the latest trail droppings, now 6 months or so old. Just two months after her investiture as Pres of Wayne State, the faculty was debating a no confidence vote:

From The South End, March 2024:

Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., was formally invested to the University on March 18 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A dozen Detroit and WSU community leaders welcomed her, and Espy gave a speech about a new Prosperity Agenda.

Paul Kaufmann, Ph.D., Espy’s husband of 35 years, spoke about Espy’s journey from a girl who grew up in Cincinnati to becoming president of WSU. Her family of seven children came from across the country to be at the event.

“Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, ‘do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ And that is exactly what President Kimberly Espy has done throughout her entire career,” Kaufmann said. …

And from the Detroit Metro Times, just 2 months later:

Wayne State faculty demand President Espy’s resignation after student protest encampment raid

One professor says the violence against students will be ‘a tragic and dark stain in the history of this institution’

14 Comments

  1. Knox Harrington 10/16/2024

    Where was the trigger warning? The mention of that name re-traumatizes us all. She lasts two years in a place, trashes it, and then gets promoted elsewhere, leaving a trail of bodies in her wake (the husband is spot on about that trail). From VPR, to Provost, to Pres. With Espy there, Trump’s recent remarks about Detroit may not be as far off as I initially thought. I just hope she doesn’t reproduce. Oh, wait…

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    • uomatters 10/16/2024

      And there’s a clue about how she got the UO job in the first place:

      “Esteemed colleague describes President Espy’s leadership, commitment to scholarship and service at investiture”

      That esteemed colleague is UO’s Geri Richmond:

      “Most trailblazers don’t have time to think about those who will walk in their path. Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., and Geraldine Richmond, Ph.D., are not most trailblazers.

      With impressive careers building to their current roles — Dr. Espy is Wayne State University’s president and Dr. Richmond serves as the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Under Secretary for Science and Innovation — both women remain steadfastly committed to supporting and uplifting the next generation of leaders through equitable, inclusive education. Accomplished scientists and analytical thinkers, the pair also share a holistic view of the role research — and higher education in general — play in improving lives and society.”

      Where does she find the PR Flacks to write this stuff about her? North Korea?
      https://today.wayne.edu/news/2024/03/18/esteemed-colleague-describes-president-espys-leadership-commitment-to-scholarship-and-service-at-investiture-61860

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    • Jane Doe 11/04/2024

      She recently called the students “blacks” at Wayne state and have over policed the campus and has them ripping off girls hijabs. Please contact [email protected] so we can hear your story. She raised our tuition and just took another raise for herself all while black students enrollments are dropping in the blackest city in America, we want her gone.

      • UO Matters Post author | 11/04/2024

        I suspect your comment about “ripping off girls hijabs” is bullshit, so please post a link to the documentation if you have it.

            • UO Matters Post author | 11/04/2024

              It seems you are correct. My apologies. And then the board gave her a $30K raise? Now *that’s* bullshit!

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              • Jane Doe 11/04/2024

                All is well, and yes they moved the board of governors meeting a couple hours away so they could vote on it! She has ruined our school and community- would you be willing to email me information about her time there? We’re trying to put together the pieces of this puppet show.

                • UO Matters Post author | 11/04/2024

                  Everything I know can be found by googling “espy site:uomatters.com”.

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  2. Just Facts 11/08/2024

    Last March, a little bird posted here about these two extraordinarily accomplished women, Drs. Geri Richmond and Kimberly Andrews Espy. They are distinguished scientists, principal investigators, skilled administrators, and remarkably successful and tenured named professors in the higher education academy. Both are notable leaders who inspire women throughout academia, and nothing written here will ever diminish or detract from their many lifetime achievements.

    Like many Universities across the country, President Espy addressed challenges on her campus last Spring. The information contained above is not accurate. While an encampment was briefly active, President Espy agreed to meet with protesters who declined. When the encampment was being removed, a protester who declined to withdraw upon police request – her hijab fell to the ground as she resisted. A police officer picked it up and handed it to her, asking if she was alright. She answered affirmatively.

    These are the facts, and they are undisputed.

    • UO Matters Post author | 11/08/2024

      links?

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      • Just Facts 11/09/2024

        Sure, but first, why are you interested?

      • Corroborator 11/13/2024

        I found many links about this story from May 28 – 31, in various independent news outlets, campus reports, and published accounts that affirm the Just Facts post above.

  3. Just Facts 11/09/2024

    Looks like you are not interested in facts, but prefer to leave up this disinformation,

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