Staben accepts presidency at University of Idaho
Provost Chuck Staben will depart from Vermillion Feb. 15 as he transitions to his newly-appointed position as president of the University of Idaho, said University of South Dakota President James Abbott Monday.
“Losing an important member of USD’s executive community is always bittersweet, but I can’t help but be happy for him,” Abbott said.
In his absence, Kurt Hackemer, associate vice president for academic affairs, will serve as interim provost.
Hackemer also serves as the permanent chair of the history department and the interim chair of the Native Studies program. To balance and delegate his responsibilities, Hackemer said he will need to sit down with Dean of the Arts and Sciences Matt Moen to figure how his other positions would be managed with his new role.
The process to replace Staben is already in motion, Abbott said, as the university is working with hiring consultant Lucy Leske from the firm Witt-Kieffer to begin a nationwide search.
Abbott said he expects to be able to name Staben’s replacement by mid-March or April, and at the very least, have someone in place to take over by July 1.
“Strong leadership, strong economic leadership (is what we are looking for in candidates), because it is one of the most important jobs on campus — maybe the toughest to fill in some ways,” he said.
As for Staben, his presidency at U-Idaho will officially begin March 1. The presidency is held in three-year terms with a yearly salary of $350,000.
The University of Idaho — which boasts an enrollment just under 12,500 — announced Staben as one of five presidential finalists in October, along with South Dakota State University Provost Laurie Stenberg-Nichols.
Staben’s selection and acceptance was announced Monday during a special meeting with members from Idaho’s Board of Regents and the State Board of Education.
“(Staben’s) background in the university of research, industry and higher education administration will position the U of I to grow, to build on a long reputation of excellence,” said Don Soltman, president of Idaho’s State Board of Education.
Transitioning to university president, Staben will serve as the 18th president for U-Idaho. A long-time supporter of land-grant universities, Staben said he and his wife Mary Beth are excited to move out the state in March and experience the “beautiful” wilderness of Idaho.
“For me, personally, it has been a dream come true,” Staben said during the meeting on the university’s campus in Moscow, Idaho.
Staben joined USD in August 2008 as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Prior to Vermillion, he served as the associate vice president for research at the University of Kentucky.
