Julie Platt, vice chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s Board of Trustees, was named interim chair by the executive committee shortly after the resignation of former Chairman Scott Bok.

“As current Vice Chair, Julie was the clear choice, and we are grateful to her for agreeing to serve in this capacity during this time of transition,” said the board‘s executive committee in a late Saturday statement.

“Due to her current commitment as Board Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, Julie will only serve until a successor is appointed,” the committee said.

Ms. Platt said in a statement that as vice chair, “I have worked hard from the inside to address the rising issues of antisemitism on campus.”

“Unfortunately, we have not made all the progress that we should have and intend to accomplish,” she said. “In my view, given the opportunity to choose between right and wrong, the three university presidents testifying in the United States House of Representatives failed. The leadership change at the university was therefore necessary and appropriate.”

She added, “I will continue as a board member of the university to use my knowledge and experience of Jewish life in North America and at Penn to accelerate this critical work.”

Mr. Bok resigned effective immediately shortly after Penn President Liz Magill announced that she will step down amid a donor revolt and after her widely criticized testimony Tuesday at a House hearing on campus antisemitism.

No interim president has been named, but the university said an announcement would be made in the coming days.

“The Board’s Nominating Committee will immediately undertake an expeditious process, including consultation with the full Board of Trustees, and will make a recommendation for the next Chair to the Executive Committee prior to the start of the spring term,” the statement said.

Donors led by billionaire Marc Rowan, who heads Penn’s Wharton Board of Advisors, had called for Ms. Magill and Mr. Bok to resign over the handling of campus antisemitism that surged after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

“We share your commitment to this extraordinary University, and while this is a challenging time, the Penn community is strong and resilient, and together, we will move forward,” said the committee.

• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.