July 8, 2008
For Immediate Release
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Spencer Jenkins
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By unanimous vote, the State Board of Regents Tuesday named President William A. Sederburg as Utah’s seventh Commissioner of Higher Education. Pres. Sederburg, currently President of Utah Valley University, will take office as Commissioner on August 18, 2008 succeeding Dr. Richard E. Kendell who stepped down on December 31. Associate Commissioner Dave Buhler, serving as Interim Commissioner since January, will continue in that role until President Sederburg takes office in August.
President Sederburg has had a long and distinguished career in higher education and public policy. Before his presidency at UVU, he served as President of Ferris State University in Michigan (1994-2003), Vice President for Public Policy at Public Sector Consultants, a Michigan based policy think tank (1991-94), a Michigan State Senator (1978-1991), Executive Director of the Michigan House Republican Caucus (1977-1978), and Founding Chair of the Midwest Higher Education Commission (1991-93).
Under the leadership of President Sederburg, Utah Valley State College transitioned to Utah Valley University. Key to this transition was UVU’s new 190,000 square foot library, which opened July 1. He has been instrumental in the addition of 26 new Baccalaureate Degrees in a variety of fields, the approval of UVU’s first master’s degree (Education), and the hiring an additional 129 faculty members to teach in new degree areas as part of the extensive planning effort on campus to become a comprehensive regional state university.
“President Sederburg’s leadership in education, public policy, and the community make him uniquely qualified to serve as the next Commissioner of Higher Education for the State of Utah.” Stated Board of Regents Chair Jed Pitcher, “Bill’s experience as a president for 14 years at two universities, and proven track record of success indicate that he is the right person to fill this position, and help us meet the challenges facing higher education now and in the future. We have asked President Sederburg to develop strategies for strengthening the leadership role played by the Board of Regents. We are excited about what the future holds and are pleased that Pres. Sederburg is willing to lend his skills to building a state agenda.”
The Commissioner of Higher Education is the CEO of the Utah System of Higher Education, and under the direction of the Board of Regents, is responsible for ensuring that its policies and programs are properly executed at the ten public colleges and universities and assists the Board in presidential searches, appointments and evaluations. Additionally, the Commissioner makes recommendations to the Board on policy matters, provides statewide leadership, collaboration, coordination, and is a key higher education spokesperson with the State Legislature, the Congressional Delegation, and the Governor.
"It is an honor to be selected by the Regents for this important role,” commented President Sederburg. “It is my intent to work with all parties to create a higher education governance system based on collaboration and innovation. The future of Utah depends on strengthening higher education's role in workforce development, research and development, a strong K-16 system, and providing affordable educational opportunities for our citizens. I look forward to working with the Regents, the Governor, the legislature, and each educational institution to build a positive agenda for strengthening Utah.”
The search for a new Commissioner commenced after the announcement in 2007 by Commissioner Richard Kendell that he would step down as Commissioner. A nation-wide search has been conducted, with nearly 100 candidates considered. The search committee, comprised of 6 Regents, after interviewing seven candidates over the past several months, put forward President Sederburg’s name for consideration by the full Board. After interviewing President Sederburg, the Board made their decision Tuesday afternoon making him Utah’s seventh Commissioner of Higher Education.
Sederburg earned a Doctor (Ph.D.) in Political Science and Public Administration as well as a Masters of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University. He also earned a Bachelors of Arts in Education and Political Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
In 2007, Bill Sederburg was honored as “Communicator of the Year” by the Utah Public Relations Society, was among Connect Magazine’s “25 People Who Most Influenced Business in Utah” and was ranked as 1 of the top 100 “Most Influential People in Utah” by Utah Business Magazine. In 2008, he was named “CEO of the Year - Public Sector” by Utah Business Magazine. Previous to these, Sederburg has received numerous public service and higher education awards and recognitions. In addition he has been quoted and published in several distinguished publications and journals.
Bill Sederburg, age 60, and his wife Joyce are the parents of 2 children and currently reside in Orem, Utah.
Previous Commissioners of Higher Education were: G. Homer Durham (1969-1976), T.H. Bell (1976-1981), Arvo Van Alstyne (1981-1985), William Rolfe Kerr (1985-1993), Cecelia H. Foxley (1993-2003) and Richard E. Kendell (2003-2007).
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