Wim Wiewel named new PSU president

Wim Wiewel is now the president of Portland State, the State Board of Higher Education announced this morning.

After almost a year of searching and interviewing, Dr. Wiewel was welcomed to Portland State with a standing ovation from community members, faculty and students Friday morning. Wiewel was the final candidate remaining for the position after the two other finalists dropped from the race in April.

“PSU is a gem in education and research,” Wiewel said. “I’m looking forward to giving you all the best of my leadership abilities.”

Before his time as provost and senior vice president of the University of Baltimore, Wiewel was the dean of two different colleges at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Throughout his career in academia, Wiewel has focused largely on urban planning and development.

When Wiewel becomes president, he will receive a yearly salary of $350,400-with $110,000 coming from the PSU foundation. Wiewel’s start date is set for next fall.

Jim Francesconi, presidential search committee chair and former Portland city commissioner, said there were three primary criteria the committee was looking for in presidential candidates.

The first criterion was to find a president that was worthy of the University. Secondly, the committee sought a president with a vision and the ability to lead Portland State to the next level using integrity and wisdom.

The final criterion the committee desired was a person that was capable of inspiring the campus community while having the wherewithal to make tough decisions. “The board did a stellar job in selecting such a qualified president,” Francesconi said. “Wiewel will be an advocate for PSU, for higher education and for us all.”

Wiewel will replace current interim president Michael Reardon, who has occupied the position since last summer following the resignation of former President Daniel Bernstine last spring.

On March 14, the three top finalists vying for the job were announced, with each visiting campus to speak with students and faculty throughout the month of April.

About a month after he was announced as a finalist, Jon Whitmore, president of Texas Tech University, was the first to drop out of the race. Whitmore later explained that he and Portland State would not be able to work together cohesively because his values were not aligned with those of the University.

Only nine days later, Kathie Olsen, the deputy director and chief operating officer of the National Science Foundation, told the chancellor of the Oregon University System, George Pernsteiner, in a letter that the timing was not right for her to leave her post at the National Science Foundation.

Despite withdrawals by the other two candidates, many board members and community members felt Wiewel was the best-qualified candidate for the job.

At the press conference following the Wiewel announcement, Pernsteiner asked, “Did we get it right?” regarding to the choice. Amidst applause from those in attendance, Pernsteiner said, “Yeah, I think we did.”

Wiewel came to the University of Baltimore in 2004, and immediately began serving as provost and senior vice president. While there, he took the reigns in expanding the growth of the institution, developing a plethora of degree programs that includes an undergraduate major in real estate. He also was successful in promoting diversity among faculty and staff.

As president, Wiewel said he wants to create a symbiotic relationship with all members of the Portland State community. Wiewel said he is excited about moving to Portland and encourages those directly and indirectly involved with the university to voice their needs, wants and desires.

“The first 90 days are going to be busy, very busy,” Wiewel said.