NorthwestMarch 23, 2013

UI president's first day on new job is June 15

TRIBUNE
Duane Nellis
Duane NellisTribune/Barry Kough

MOSCOW - The Texas Tech Board of Regents officially selected Duane Nellis as the university's next president Friday, three weeks after Chancellor Kent Hance named the University of Idaho president as the sole finalist for the job.

Nellis previously told the Idaho State Board of Education that he would stay at UI through June, when he will complete his four-year tenure at the university. His first day at Texas Tech is June 15. He will succeed Lawrence Schovanec in Lubbock, who served as the Texas Tech interim president after former President Guy Bailey resigned in August.

In a statement released Friday by Texas Tech, Nellis said he is honored to become the university's next president.

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"The current momentum is truly impressive, and I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff and community to continue the university's progress and growth," he said.

When Hance announced Nellis was the sole finalist three weeks ago, Nellis said he would not grant interviews until the regents officially gave him the job. A UI spokeswoman said Nellis was travelling Friday to attend a Monday press conference at Texas Tech, and will not be available for interviews until he returns to Idaho next week.

The Idaho State Board of Education, which serves as UI's board of regents, is in the process of identifying an interim president and organizing a search committee to find Nellis' replacement in Moscow.

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