The Idaho State Board of Education today announced the appointment of Gary Michael as Interim President of the University of Idaho. Brian Pitcher, who served as acting president since March 1 when President Bob Hoover left on medical leave, will return to his position as University Provost.
Mr. Michael, former CEO of Albertson, Inc., graduated from the U of I in 1962 with a B.S. in Business & Economics, and Accounting. Throughout his professional career spanning five decades he has been closely involved with the University.
Gary Michael came to UI from Laurel, Montana, on a track scholarship. After college, he served two years in the U.S. Army and then joined the Ernst & Young accounting firm. He joined Albertson's in 1966 as an accountant/controller and was promoted to CEO in 1991, a position he held until his retirement in June of 2001.
Mr. Michael has been a member of the University of Idaho Foundation since 1975 and currently serves on its Board of Directors. From 1999 to 2002 he served as Chair for the National Campaign Committee. Under his leadership the Campaign for Idaho raised over $129 million to support educational activities at the University.
"We are pleased that Mr. Michael has agreed to assume the interim duties of President of the U of I," said Blake Hall, Board President. "His experience as the CEO of a large corporation, combined with his sincere interest in the University of Idaho, make him the perfect person to lead the University through this time of change," Hall continued.
"Mr. Michael has demonstrated strong loyalty and support for the University of Idaho," said Board member Rod Lewis. "He is the right person to lead the University at this time," Lewis said.
"As a former Vandal, I know the University of Idaho is a quality institution that has served this state well for more than a century," said Mr. Michael. "If I can bring my business expertise to bear on the challenges the university faces, I am happy to do it. I have a great love for the University of Idaho," he said. "I look forward to working with a the faculty and staff to get us all on the same page and moving forward."
The Board's action to appoint Mr. Michael as interim president will allow former Provost Pitcher to return to his position where he will continue to be a key component of the new management team.
"The action taken by the Board will allow Brian time to work with his management team to over see the day-to-day operations of the University and put things in order for a successful fall semester," said Mr. Lewis. Dr. Pitcher has filled the Provost position at U of I since 1997.
Working with President Robert Hoover, Brian established the goal of making the University the residential campus of choice for Idaho and the West.
Created in 1889, the University of Idaho is a comprehensive land-grant institution serving over 11,000 graduate and undergraduate students. With its principle responsibilities of performing research and providing quality education, the institution delivers 154 undergraduate, 71 master's and 25 doctoral programs.