Bruce W. Ferguson has been removed as president of Otis College of Art and Design and replaced on an interim basis by former provost Randall Lavender, the school announced Wednesday.
“After careful consideration the trustees of Otis College of Art and Design felt it was an appropriate time to make a change in leadership and announce the departure of Bruce W. Ferguson,” a letter sent by the school’s Board of Trustees to alumni said.
There was no immediate response to a message left after the close of usual business hours seeking more details.
Ferguson was appointed as president in 2015. During his tenure he oversaw the creation of the L.A. Summer Residency and summer offerings and put a new focus on developing new extension programs.
Lavender first joined Otis College as a part-time faculty member in 1983, later became an adjunct assistant professor and then associate chair in the Foundation program. Lavender was an interim co-provost in the 2010-11 academic year and acting provost in 2014. He was promoted to provost in 2014.
Before joining Otis College, Lavender held faculty appointments at Vanderbilt University, Claremont Graduate University and Cal Poly Pomona.