Tag: E. Gordon Gee

E. Gordon Gee was named West Virginia University’s permanent president Monday. It’s the third time he’s been asked to lead the state’s land-grant, flagship research University.

Gee, 70, first served as president from 1981-1985 – hired when he was just 36. He  returned in January of this year for a term to replace the departing Jim Clements, and was asked by the WVU Board of Governors today to serve as the University’s permanent 24th president—pending a special meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and its approval.

The Board’s vote, during an emergency meeting, was unanimous. The Presidential Search Committee held an emergency session Friday to endorse Gee for the permanent post and request that the Board amend the search guidelines and take all necessary steps to retain him.

The Board adopted the committee’s recommendation Monday morning.

Dr. Gee’s current contract will remain in place while a new two-year contract, the maximum under statute, is developed.

Gee says he didn’t come back intending to stay, but decided he couldn’t turn the offer down after spending some time back in Morgantown.

“The institution has made remarkable progress, unlike anything I had even imagined,” Gee said.

“I’m really taken with the quality and commitment of our faculty.”

Gee says his top priority is to find ways to keep young people in West Virginia.

“I think there are very few institutions which can play a more important role in making a difference in a state and for a people than can this university.”

West Virginia University’s Board of Governors is holding an emergency meeting to consider a search committee’s endorsement of interim President E. Gordon Gee for the job permanently.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday in the President’s Conference Room at Stewart Hall on WVU’s Morgantown campus.
 
The board would have to rescind a motion approved last November stating Gee wouldn’t be a candidate for the permanent job before acting on the search committee’s recommendation.
 
The search committee endorsed the 70-year-old Gee during an emergency meeting Friday.
 
The university is seeking a successor to Jim Clements, who left for Clemson University.
 
Gee also was WVU’s president from 1981 to 1985. He also served two different stints as Ohio State’s president.

During an emergency meeting of the West Virginia University presidential search committee Friday, a motion was introduced by staff representative Dixie Martinelli, to take all necessary steps to retain the University’s current president, E. Gordon Gee, as the permanent president.

The motion, which asks the WVU Board of Governors to amend the search procedures and rescind a motion which stated the interim president would not be a candidate for the permanent post, was endorsed by the 20-person committee.

Board of Governors Chairman and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee James W. Dailey II said in a news release that an emergency BOG meeting will be called early next week. The Higher Education Policy Commission will also call an emergency meeting, he said.

“Gordon Gee is absolutely, hands-down the very best person to be at the helm of West Virginia University at this important time and place in our history,” said Dailey.

“I know we recruited him to serve until a permanent leader was in place and said the interim president would not be a candidate for the permanent presidency, but the search committee had a change of heart,” he added.

Dr. Gee first served as president of WVU from 1981-1985. He was hired when he was just 36. He returned in January 2014 for a term to replace the departing Jim Clements.

“He is truly a perfect fit for this institution. His knowledge of and experience in higher education circles is unmatched – as is his national and international reputation,” Dailey said of the decision to introduce and pass the motion to retain Gee.

Gee was not present when the motion was introduced and passed but released a statement following the meeting.

“I am honored, energized and humbled by the Committee’s recommendation today. My return to West Virginia has reminded me of the special spirit of this university and the unique role it plays in this state,” said Gee.

“I am also reminded of the warmth and friendship of the people of West Virginia which have been demonstrated over the past few months in full measure.”