U of M Needs to Look Beyond Ivy-Covered Walls for Next President, Says Horner
MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minnesota, June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Minnesota Board of Regents should expand the membership of the committee charged with recommending candidates to be the institution's next president, said Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner.
"The next president of the University of Minnesota needs to be someone who can innovate, who is willing to challenge the status quo and who can make sure this great institution is a vital contributor to Minnesota's economic, civic and social life. The perspective of the advisory committee -- with university professors representing half the membership -- is too narrow."
The Board of Regents Thursday named an advisory committee that will recommend candidates to succeed retiring President Robert Bruininks. The 12-person committee appointed by the Regents includes six professors, two attorneys, a university administrator, one student, a retired judge and a member of the Regents.
Horner urged the Regents to consider advisory committee members from the following areas:
- Business, including Minnesota's large and small employers. "In particular, the insights of leaders from Minnesota's knowledge industries, biosciences, natural resources and emerging technologies are essential," said Horner.
- Greater Minnesota, especially experts who understand the challenges facing Minnesota's smaller communities. "An academic from a campus outside the Twin Cities is not the same as a person on the front lines of trying to deal with the state's budget crisis and how it is devastating the economies of our smaller communities," said Horner. "The university has to be a partner in revitalizing Greater Minnesota."
- Online education and the emerging technologies that will transform education. "We should never replace the interaction of a teacher and student. But it's also important to build a university that can meet the challenges of an economy and a society in which lifelong learning will be absolutely vital. It's not about 'breaking the mold' of traditional education, it's about creativity in building new opportunities on a solid foundation," said Horner.
"Before there was a state of Minnesota, there was a University of Minnesota," said Horner. "Building a world-class economy in today's global marketplace requires a strong, innovative research institution. The next president will be one of the most important people in creating a bright future for all of Minnesota. We need to bring broad perspectives and open minds to the task of selecting the person."
For more information regarding Horner's campaign, log on to Horner's website.
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