After John Dolan’s resignation last fall as vice chancellor of enrollment, university officials immediately began searching for candidates to fill his position.

Beginning July 1, Thomas Willoughby from Drake University will begin working at the enrollment office.

Todd Rinehart from the admissions office is currently serving as interim vice chancellor until the end of June.

According to Gregg Kvistad, dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, a committee of 19 graduate and undergraduate students, administrators and faculty were chosen to screen and interview 57 applicants.

Committee members were personally hand-picked by the chancellor and the provost to represent a variety of constituents.

Kvistad, who chaired the search committee, said selections of the candidates were made based on phone interviews and background checks.

Three finalists were then invited to the DU campus for further interviews.

In March, committee members submitted their recommendations to Chancellor Ritchie so he could make the final decision.

“We were blessed with many riches,” Kvistad said.

“The vice chancellor of enrollment is one of the most important jobs in the university. This person has significant impact and he [Willoughby] is very good, hard-working and has long experience in enrollment management. He also understood the University of Denver well.”

Willoughby expressed excitement at being hired as the new vice chancellor.

“I’m pretty excited and can’t wait to get started,” he said. “Especially with the hockey team recently winning the national title.”

Willoughby spent nearly 20 years at Drake University, working various positions and becoming vice president of admission and financial aid in 2000.

He met with Chancellor Ritchie last Thursday to discuss his responsibilities as vice chancellor.

He and his wife, Karla, spent the rest of their time in Denver looking for a new house.

Dolan left the university to work with the Archdiocese of Denver.