As expected, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday named Dr. Jeffrey Gold as the university’s ninth system president.
The long-time chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and NU’s executive vice president and provost, Gold had been named the priority finalist by the regents last month.
Regent Chairman Rob Schafer of Beatrice says they set out to find a president who could build on the university’s current momentum, lead it into the future. and “take us to even greater heights“ – and they found the person they were looking for.
Only one regent, Kathy Wilmot. voted against Gold and cited only unspecified “unresolved issues” that she said had been raised behind closed doors in executive session.
Gold will take over on July 1st from interim President Chris Kabourek, who will return to permanent post as chief financial officer.
Gold’s salary will be $1.06-million dollars plus various benefits. The salary is similar to what he would already be getting as chancellor, VP, and a surgery professor. He will stay a professor even as president.
Gold said after the Regents’ vote that “The future is bright for this university and, as a result, I believe the future is extremely bright for the state of Nebraska.”
He added that “I guarantee you that over these years together, I will trip and fall, but I promise you that I will get up, dust off, and come back the next day and do it better and better and better.”
Gold starts with plenty on his plate including new chancellors at the Medical Center and Kearney and a new provost. He’ll also present the university’s next 2-year budget in just over a month facing an expected $58-million in cuts.