[Vision2020] Duane Nellis named 17th University of Idaho president

Kenneth Marcy kmmos1 at verizon.net
Wed Apr 22 13:36:50 PDT 2009


Here is the announcement press release: 
http://www.today.uidaho.edu/DetailsPrint.aspx?id=4892

	Board Names Duane Nellis as 17th President of the University of Idaho

April 22, 2009

Moscow, Idaho -- The Idaho State Board of Education announced today that Dr. 
Duane Nellis has accepted the position of President of the University of 
Idaho.

The offer of employment to Dr. Nellis, current Provost and Senior Vice 
President for Academics at Kansas State University, came as a result of a 
unanimous vote in an open meeting, held via telephone from the University of 
Idaho campus.

“I am so pleased,” said Board President Paul Agidius. “I have no doubt in my 
mind that we found the absolute best person. Dr. Nellis brings so much to 
this campus, this community and to this state.”

“It’s a thrill,” said Nellis. “I feel like I’m coming home. I have so much 
energy and passion for the work of land grant institutions and the special 
role they play in education. I just can’t wait to get started!”

Nellis takes over for Interim President Steven Daley-Laursen, who has been 
serving since June 2008. Daley-Laursen guided the University of Idaho after 
Tim White left for the University of California Riverside.

“I want everyone to know that Steven Daley-Laursen gave this board the 
greatest advantage you can have in a search; time,” said Board President Paul 
Agidius. “His leadership and vision for this institution allowed us a board 
to take the time necessary to fully engage in the process, to vet all the 
candidates and do the due diligence required in such an important hire.”

A presidential search committee of 16 people representing a wide range of 
interests and stakeholders, co-chaired by Paul Agidius and Sue Thilo began 
work on finding a permanent replacement for White in July 2008. Nellis along 
with four others were named finalists for the position in January 2009. Dr. 
Nellis visited various UI campus locations in early February 2009.

Nellis will start July 1, 2009, commencing with the start of the new fiscal 
year with the following terms of compensation:
• Annual Salary $335,000
o $298,000 from the state of Idaho
o $ 37,000 in the form of an unrestricted gift from the University of Idaho 
Foundation to the University to use for presidential compensation.
• Rank of full tenure professor at the University of Idaho
• 3 year contract
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance benefits
• Use of on-campus residence
• $7,200 annual automobile allowance

The Board also voted to waive two different policies, clearing the way for 
Nellis’ appointment. The Board waived its policies that provide institution 
presidents are not eligible for academic tenure or to receive supplemental 
compensation from institutional foundations. The Board determined to waive 
those policies in connection with the appointment of Dr. Nellis, and asked 
its staff to prepare a revision to those policies for proposed future 
consideration by the Board.

A full biography detailing Dr. Nellis’ background and academic history is 
available on the University of Idaho presidential search web site; 
www.uidaho.edu/presidentialsearch.aspx .

To learn more about the Board of Regents for the University of Idaho and the 
Idaho State Board of Education, please visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov.

##### 


Media Contact: Mark Browning, (208) 332-1591, State Board of Education, 
mark.browning at osbe.idaho.gov



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