POCATELLO - The State Board of Education announced today that Dr. Richard Bowen, President of Idaho State University, will retire on October 10, 2005.
Over his 20 year tenure with ISU, Dr. Bowen helped to significantly strengthen ISU's financial health and promoted the growth of the University's health sciences mission. He oversaw a successful capital campaign, raising $152 million for the university. ISU also recently completed the $34 million L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, built primarily with donated funds. Dr. Bowen also led efforts to construct the Idaho Accelerator Center , and has led ISU into numerous partnerships with the Idaho National Laboratory.
During Dr. Bowen's two decades of service enrollment at Idaho State University doubled to more than 14,000 students, including 2,500 ISU students at the Center for Higher Education in Idaho Falls. ISU also provides more than 500 courses statewide through the Distance Learning Network. The ISU Boise Center is helping Idaho meet the growing demand for health-professions education, while the Twin Falls Center offers ISU programs to Magic Valley residents.
"Idaho State University has experienced tremendous growth in students, programs, and facilities with Dr. Bowen at the helm. The Board appreciates his service and thanks Dr. Bowen for his 20 years of service. We wish him well on his retirement," said State Board of Education President Rod Lewis.
The Board also announced that an interim president of the University will be selected to serve until a permanent president is named. The Board intends to name an interim president within coming weeks. The Board named a presidential search advisory committee in July. The committee has met, crafted a job description and is currently collecting applications.
"The presidential search process is on track," said Karen McGee, Chair of the State Board of Education Presidential Search Advisory Committee. "The Presidential Advisory Committee continues to recruit potential presidential candidates. It is the Board's intention to name a permanent president early next year."
For more information on Idaho State University go to: http://www.isu.edu . For more information on the ISU Presidential search see the Board's website at: http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/pressearch/ISU/index.asp .
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