Insists he had nothing to do with the selection:
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Friday he stands by the Iowa Board of Regents choice for the University of Iowa's new president.
The Regents voted last week to name Bruce Harreld, a former IBM executive, to the post. Harreld's appointment was quickly met by concerns from UI faculty and students, including a vote of "no confidence" in the Regents by the University of Iowa Faculty Senate.
Speaking on a conference call with reporters Friday, Branstad said Harreld is "somebody who has great leadership abilities and potential to make some significant changes that will benefit the University of Iowa and the state of Iowa."
Branstad spoke from Seoul, South Korea, where he and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director have been on a six-day trade mission. Both will head to Japan for the Midwest U.S.-Japan annual conference when finished in South Korea.
The governor also said he recognized concerns by some University of Iowa faculty members and students in the Regents pick.
"I understand that academics have a kind of distrust for somebody that’s not one of them, but I think we’ve got a dynamic leader that can do some great things," Branstad said.
Branstad said he went through a similar period of distrust when he became president of Des Moines University. He served as the university's president from 2003 to 2009, before once again pursuing the governor's office.
"I think change is essential. Having been a university president at Des Moines University, I can tell you that change in a university is always difficult. Being a nonacademic as I was ... I was immediately suspect from the faculty," he said.
"I'm proud to say that I did win them over before I left."
Branstad also said he was not involved in the decision to choose Harreld, a former IBM executive.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...1/branstad-stands--new-ui-president/72056648/
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Friday he stands by the Iowa Board of Regents choice for the University of Iowa's new president.
The Regents voted last week to name Bruce Harreld, a former IBM executive, to the post. Harreld's appointment was quickly met by concerns from UI faculty and students, including a vote of "no confidence" in the Regents by the University of Iowa Faculty Senate.
Speaking on a conference call with reporters Friday, Branstad said Harreld is "somebody who has great leadership abilities and potential to make some significant changes that will benefit the University of Iowa and the state of Iowa."
Branstad spoke from Seoul, South Korea, where he and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director have been on a six-day trade mission. Both will head to Japan for the Midwest U.S.-Japan annual conference when finished in South Korea.
The governor also said he recognized concerns by some University of Iowa faculty members and students in the Regents pick.
"I understand that academics have a kind of distrust for somebody that’s not one of them, but I think we’ve got a dynamic leader that can do some great things," Branstad said.
Branstad said he went through a similar period of distrust when he became president of Des Moines University. He served as the university's president from 2003 to 2009, before once again pursuing the governor's office.
"I think change is essential. Having been a university president at Des Moines University, I can tell you that change in a university is always difficult. Being a nonacademic as I was ... I was immediately suspect from the faculty," he said.
"I'm proud to say that I did win them over before I left."
Branstad also said he was not involved in the decision to choose Harreld, a former IBM executive.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...1/branstad-stands--new-ui-president/72056648/
