Montana State University |
Montana State University |
1/21/00 Contact: Cathy Conover, MSU University Relations (406) 994-4571
Helena -- Terry Roark, former president of the University of Wyoming, was appointed by the Montana Board of Regents today as the interim president of Montana State University. Roark will be the caretaker president while the university conducts a national search to replace the late Michael Malone, 59, who died Dec. 21 of a heart attack.
Roark, 61, retired from the top post at the University of Wyoming in July 1997 after a decade of service as president. He has remained on the faculty at UW where, as president emeritus, he teaches courses in astronomy and physics. Roark is expected to begin his duties at MSU as early as Jan. 28.
"We are very impressed with Dr. Roark’s background and capabilities," said Pat Davison, chairman of the Board of Regents. "Dr. Roark has a strong history of service at the University of Wyoming and at Kent State University and Ohio State University."
Dick Crofts, Commissioner of Higher Education who spearheaded the search for an interim president, said while it would be difficult for anyone to follow the legacy of Mike Malone, Roark is a proven leader with an impressive history in developing plans of action for improvement at the UW.
"He has a solid background in higher education, and the vision he has demonstrated through his writings and presentations make him a perfect fit for MSU at this time," Crofts said.
Roark will bring with him a history of work on a campus similar in size, geography and philosophy as MSU. Also a Land Grant institution, the University of Wyoming’s fall enrollment was 10,940 students, compared to MSU-Bozeman’s 11,753.
While at Wyoming, Roark is credited with initiating the School of Environment and Natural Resources and the African-American and American Indian Education Programs. He expanded the availability of UW degree programs and outreach services throughout the state.
Roark announced his retirement in 1996, saying that after 10 years it was time to step down to continue research and teaching. Roark’s research interests center on the understanding the physical nature of interstellar dust, reflection nebulae and late evolutionary stages for stars similar to our sun.
Among Roark’s many professional memberships are two that will also be key to his role at MSU. He served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Association of Western Universities and is a former director of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, an organization in which Michael Malone was also active. Roark and his wife, Beverly, live in Laramie and have a grown son, David.
Roark was one of two finalists for the interim position. Michael Owen, a retired businessman who lives in Bozeman, and former dean of MSU’s College of Business, was the other finalist. Owen retired from the College of Business in June.
Crofts will now concentrate on the national search for a permanent president for MSU, a process that typically takes at least one year. Crofts has said he hopes to have a replacement on the job before the 2001 Legislature begins meeting next January. Joyce Scott, deputy commissioner for academic affairs, will chair that search committee, Crofts said.
Speaking for the MSU vice presidents, David Dooley, interim provost and academic vice president, said MSU administrators very much appreciate the dedicated work of both the Commissioner and the Board of Regents in appointing an interim president.
"We especially appreciate the broad consultation of the commissioner during his visit to Bozeman and his willingness to consider all the suggestions and recommendations he received," Dooley said. Dooley said that the vice presidents believed, after interviewing the two final candidates, that either "would be an excellent fit."
"We want to personally thank Mike Owen for his willingness to come forward as a candidate for this position and for his continuing support of MSU. We look forward to beginning our work with Dr. Roark and know our campus and community will be very supportive of him as he makes his transition into his new role."
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He began his teaching career as an assistant professor of astronomy at Ohio State University in 1966 and rose through the academic ranks to become full professor in 1976. He was named assistant provost for curricula in 1977, then became associate provost for instruction in 1979.
In 1983, he was appointed professor of physics and vice president for
academic and student affairs at Kent State University. The title and duties
of provost were added in 1985. He was hired to lead the University of Wyoming
in July 1987.
Roark’s professional memberships include: The American Astronomical
Society, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the International Astronomical
Union and the American Association of University Professors. He is a member
of the Society of Sigma Xi scientific honorary, Phi Kappa Phi scholastic
honorary and Omicron Delta Kappa scholastic and leadership honorary.
He has served as a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) commissioner from Wyoming and was chair in 1990-91. He was a member of the American Council on Education's Commission on Leadership Development, the Wyoming Geographic Alliance, and the Wyoming Mathematics Coalition.
In 1991-92, he was chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Association
of Western Universities, and will serve again in 1996-97. He is a former
director of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant
Colleges.
Note: The photo above is available on-line at www.montana.edu/wwwpb/univ/roark.jpg
Send questions or comments to Carol Schmidt: cschmdit@montana.edu. Or you can send letters to Carol Schmidt, MSU Communications Services, 416 Culbertson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.
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