[Vision2020] ISU Provost Gary Olson to step down June 25

[Kenneth Marcy]

Idaho State Journal, Pocatello, Idaho

Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:20 am | Updated: 8:22 am, Wed Mar 16, 
2011.

POCATELLO – Idaho State University Provost, Gary Olson, announced today that 
he would step down as provost at the end of his current contract on June 25.

“We made a great deal of progress over the last two years,” Olson said. “And 
now I believe it is time to consider other opportunities.”

During his tenure, Olson oversaw the successful reaffirmation of institutional 
accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and 
he led ISU to Research University-High status in the Carnegie Foundation 
classifications. He directed an institution-wide reorganization of academic 
units and created a professional Office of Institutional Research, hiring its 
director after an extensive national search.

Olson also oversaw the reorganization and subsequent reaccreditation of the 
Idaho Museum of Natural History, and he rescued the Idaho State University 
Press from closure, bringing it under Academic Affairs direction. In order to 
foster a culture of cooperation among regional institutions, both public and 
private, he created a Council of Academic Affairs in Eastern Idaho.

“Under Provost Olson’s leadership, Academic Affairs has helped move the 
institution forward in substantial and demonstrable ways,” said ISU President 
Arthur Vailas. “We are all grateful for his tireless dedication to ISU.”

Olson plans to take a professional leave during the fall semester before 
returning to the faculty in the spring 2012 to resume his work as a nationally 
prominent scholar of rhetoric, politics, and culture, and an analyst of higher 
education.


More on the story at the following link(s):

http://www.journalnet.com/news/local/article_b9267ae8-4f45-11e0-85b0-001cc4c03286.html 

OR

http://tinyurl.com/4aaxhle 


Ken