Note from President M. Duane Nellis | July 2, 2009

Dear University of Idaho faculty and staff,

I hope you're enjoying your summer; Ruthie and I are eager to be in Moscow permanently and are excited to begin our work with you on behalf of this great university.

I'm writing to update you on the new assignment for Dr. Steven Daley-Laursen. As I have previously communicated to you, Dr. Daley-Laursen has served the university very effectively as interim president over the past year, and previously as dean of the College of Natural Resources for several years. I appreciate his commitment to continue to play an important role for the University of Idaho.

Dr. Daley-Laursen has decided not to return as dean of the College of Natural Resources, and he and I have discussed various possible scenarios that would utilize his talents as well as contribute in important ways toward university priorities and in moving forward the university in positive directions. I am pleased to announce that effective July 1, 2009, Dr. Daley-Laursen will begin a new, one-year position as senior executive to the University President, with a particular focus on special federal initiatives. Steve continues his tenured professor role in Forest Resources in the College of Natural Resources.

As many of you may know, Marty Peterson, who has served so ably for many years directing our federal and state relations, has decided to start a two-year phased retirement program. His part-time assignment, beginning July 1, will focus primarily on state relations. Vice President for Research Jack McIver will assume part of this federal responsibility, but having someone of Steve's abilities during the transition for these programs, both to shape some of the university's priority multidisciplinary research initiatives, and promote opportunities for federal agency funding in the areas building on ideas emerging from the RFI process, will be an enormous asset. Dr. Daley-Laursen is excited to assume this role, and Provost Baker and I are both pleased about the potential the university has for growing this program significantly under Steve’s and Jack's leadership.

My thanks again to Dr. Daley-Laursen for his continued commitment to serve the University of Idaho and for his generous assistance to me during this transition period. I appreciate all of the support and cooperation so many of you have extended and look forward to working with you in the weeks and years ahead.

M. Duane Nellis, President