The Idaho State Board of Education announced this morning that M. Duane Nellis will serve as the 17th President of the University of Idaho. He will begin his appointment as president on July 1, 2009.

During a visit to the Moscow campus in February, Nellis commended the University of Idaho for its legacy of leading. "A legacy of leading – that's an important theme. And it's really true about this university as the flagship, student-centered, research university of this state. It speaks to the quality of the faculty and the quality of the students." He now joins that legacy.

Nellis has served as Kansas State University's provost and senior vice president since 2004. He previously served as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University. He also spent 17 years at Kansas State, progressing from assistant professor of geography to professor and head of the department, and then to senior associate dean of Kansas State's College of Arts and Sciences.

"University of Idaho alumni worldwide are excited to welcome Dr. Duane Nellis to the University of Idaho," said Alumni Director Steve Johnson. "Throughout the presidential search process, alumni were remarkably impressed with Dr. Nellis and believe he is the proven leader needed to guide the state’s flagship university and enhance the university’s Legacy of Leading heritage."

Nellis is a native of the Northwest. He was born in Spokane, Wash. He met and married his wife, Ruthie, while pursuing his bachelor's degree in geography at Montana State University. He received his master's and doctoral degrees in geography at Oregon State University. (courtesy of the University of Idaho)

Geography to graduate 7 excellent students

The University of Idaho Geography department is pleased to announce the graduation of 7 students, 2 of whom are receiving their Master's of Science degree. Those receiving their Bachelor's of Science are: Raechel Anne Bianchetti, Michael E. Moats, Kenneth Lane Peters, John Daniel Pierce, and Luke Jacob Reardon. Those receiving their Master's of Science are Paul Eugenio Reyes Paredes and Jason Trook. Congratulations Graduates!