Report: Sewanee vice-chancellor a potential nominee for U.S. ambassador to South Africa

Nov. 24—Reuben E. Brigety II, vice chancellor of the University of the South, may be nominated as U.S. ambassador to South Africa, according to South African news outlet SABC News.

"The White House has yet to make the nomination official as it awaits concurrence from the South African government," a Nov. 17 article said.

Sewanee made a statement last week, the same day the report was published, neither confirming nor denying Brigety's nomination.

"We are aware that rumors are circulating about news being posted by media outlets in South Africa that Vice Chancellor Brigety will be nominated by President Joe Biden to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Republic of South Africa. The university must defer to the White House on such matters. Meanwhile, we want to assure you that Vice Chancellor Brigety and senior university leadership, including the board of regents, have been in close contact and will provide further information promptly should it become timely and appropriate to do so," the college wrote.

Sewanee spokesperson Laurie Saxton told the Times Free Press on Wednesday that the university has not received any additional information about the nomination.

"What we posted on Facebook a week or so ago is still the only thing we can say and in fact is all we know," Saxton said.

Brigety's prior diplomacy includes serving as a U.S. ambassador to the African Union from 2013-2015 and as deputy secretary of state in the U.S. Department of State from 2009-2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Before coming to Sewanee, Brigety worked as dean of George Washington University and taught at George Mason University and American University. He became vice-chancellor of Sewanee last year.

Contact Anika Chaturvedi at achaturvedi@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.