Five finalists have been named to be Boise State University’s president, to succeed retiring President Bob Kustra. Fifty-three candidates applied, and a search committee narrowed that to nine semi-finalists, all of whom were interviewed, and then today to the five finalists. They are:

·       Dr. James Lentini - Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Oakland University

·       Dr. Kevin Reynolds - Vice President for Finance and Administration, Portland State University

·       Dr. Jack Thomas – President, Western Illinois University

·       Dr. Robbyn Wacker – Senior Campaign Advisor for Development and Alumni Relations, University of Northern Colorado

·       Dr. Daniel Weeks – President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Northern British Columbia

All five will visit the BSU campus starting next week, the state Board of Education announced. Open forums are planned for students, faculty and staff as well as a public receptions for community members to meet and hear from the finalists. There’s more info online here.

This follows the recent naming of new presidents for Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College. The new ISU president is Kevin Satterlee, an attorney and UI College of Law graduate who previously served as chief operating officer, vice president and special counsel at BSU. The new LCSC president is Cynthia Pemberton, who has worked in higher education for more than 30 years, most recently as vice president for academic affairs at Colorado Mesa University; she holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Portland State University.

Satterlee, who starts June 18, will be paid $370,000 a year. Pemberton, who starts July 1, will be paid $225,000 a year.

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