Gary Forsee new UM president, Lamb executive VP

By: Derek Simons

Posted: 12/3/07

12.20.07 - The University of Missouri System (UM) Board of Curators today officially made Gary D. Forsee the 22nd president of the four-campus UM system for the next three years with a unanimous vote during executive session. He will begin his duties Feb. 18, 2008.

In a move perhaps designed to placate critics of his lack of academic credentials, Forsee said he has asked Dr. Gordon Lamb to serve as UM System Executive Vice President for all of 2008.

Lamb, who has served as UM System Interim President since Elson S. Floyd's departure in April, has extensive experience with several universities, including a period in 1999-2000 as University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Interim Chancellor.

"Gordon [Lamb] will be at my right hand in support of the agenda that's in motion and the new initiatives that we will collectively define," Forsee said.

Forsee said he had met with many Missouri state leaders, including senators Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond, Gov. Matt Blunt and Attorney General Jay Nixon, as well as various other "key stakeholders." He said from those conversations he had drawn "a sense of resolve and commitment" about the task at hand.

"I come into this with a lot to learn," Forsee said. "I need to go back to school, if you will. But I am eager and I have a deep appreciation for what's represented by the academic responsibilities of this university."

In the press conference announcing the presidential appointment, Board of Curators Chair Don Walsworth praised Forsee's credentials and passion for higher education.

"Finding a great leader is not so easy," Walsworth said. "… Gary has led a Fortune 50 company [Sprint Nextel]. He understands leaderships of large, complex and diverse organizations through real-world experiences. Gary's background is in one of the fastest evolving fields: telecommunications. It reflects an appreciation for nimble thinking as well as high regard for thinkers who make critical differences."

Walsworth described Forsee's career as one that had included tough assignments, heavy responsibilities and very high stakes.

"He has overseen enterprises in Europe, advised the White House, testified before Congress and navigated Wall Street," Walsworth said.

Forsee, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla who serves on that school's board of trustees, has also been serving as co-chair of the Missouri 100 committee. The committee, comprising prominent businessmen and important university supporters, was formed this fall by Lamb to promote the statewide image of the UM System campuses.

Forsee praised Lamb's leadership in creating and sustaining momentum for the university with the Missouri 100 initiative. He said he understands people want leaders to anticipate change, not just manage it. He then closed the press conference by paraphrasing Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"An organization is in fact a reality of the lengthened shadow of its leader," Forsee said. "I ask for your help and support as I work to earn the confidence of the curators that have entrusted me to lead this university as president. And today I pledge to give you my very best effort."

Posted 12.19.07 - Barring unforeseen surprises, the 22nd president of the University of Missouri (UM) is expected to be formally selected and introduced on Thursday, Dec. 20, in Columbia, Missouri, according to a UM media advisory released today.

The introduction of the new president is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be watched live in streaming video at http://www.umsystem.edu/live.

The UM Board of Curators will hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Donrey Room 211 of the Reynolds Alumni Center, on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. The committee will meet in an open session to consider approval of a closed session for consideration of hiring a new president, the media advisory stated.

Former Sprint Nextel chairman Gary Forsee, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla who serves on that school's board of trustees, will be named as the new president, according to Associated Press reports.

Forsee resigned his position at Sprint in October under pressure from dissatisfied shareholders and board members, but was well compensated for his gesture, receiving a severance package worth $54 million.

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) met Nov. 19 in Kansas City with just one finalist to interview. The following day, Gov. Matt Blunt, R-Mo., met with Forsee in Columbia, but refused to confirm if their conversation was about the UM presidency. Despite pledges of secrecy signed by PSAC members, news of Forsee's name spread quickly as the potential replacement for Elson Floyd, who left in April to become president of Washington State University.

dsimons@unews.com