Staben named U of I president

MOSCOW —  The Idaho State Board of Education voted today to appoint Dr. Chuck Staben as President of the University of Idaho.

Dr. Staben, current Provost at the University of South Dakota, accepted the Board’s offer to serve as the University’s new president after a unanimous vote of the Board in a meeting held via teleconference from the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.

“We are very pleased to welcome Chuck and Mary Beth Staben to the University of Idaho and to our great state,” said Board President Don Soltman. “I was privileged to serve on the search committee to vet the candidates for this position. The caliber of the applicants was outstanding, and Dr. Staben rose to the top of that highly qualified field. The Board is looking forward to working with Chuck to ensure that the University of Idaho continues its long tradition of excellence.”

“"Land grant universities, including the University of Idaho, improve lives and strengthen our society,” said Staben. “Leading this University is a privilege that I value deeply.”

Staben will take over from Interim President Don Burnett, who was selected to serve in that role in March 2013 after Dr. Duane Nellis accepted a position as President at Texas Tech. “The Board is extremely grateful to Don Burnett for his leadership during this time of transition,” said Soltman. “Don’s ability to step in and guide the University was invaluable in ensuring that the University continued to function smoothly and efficiently during the search for a new president.”

The 16-member presidential search committee, chaired by Board Vice President Emma Atchley, began work on finding a permanent replacement for Nellis in April 2013. Staben was named one of five finalists for the position in September. He visited UI campus locations and met with stakeholders around the state in October.

Staben will start on March 1, 2014, with a three year contract at an annual salary of $350,000.

Additional information on Dr. Staben’s background and academic history is available on the University of Idaho presidential web site at "http://www.uidaho.edu/newsevents/presidential-announcement" www.uidaho.edu/newsevents/presidential-announcement.

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