Updated 3:41 p.m.
Timothy M. Wolfe, 53, has been named the as the newest president of the University of Missouri System this morning.
Wolfe, who will be the 23rd president in the System's history, begins his tenure in mid-February and succeeds Gary Forsee. Forsee resigned from his position in January to care for his ill wife.
A press release from the System states that Wolfe is a University of Missouri business school alumnus and was president of the americas for Novell. Wolfe also worked as an executive at tech giant IBM for over 20 years.
The connections to Columbia, Mo. don't end at Mizzou for Wolfe, who also graduated from Rock Bridge High School, where he won a state championship as the football team's quarterback.
In a statement, Wolfe said that he intends to "initiate a dialogue with the entire university family."
“I will work tirelessly with all of you to enable our campuses to realize their full potential and to find the resources necessary to give Missouri the technology, the research, the learning, and the educated citizenry that it needs to compete and to provide meaningful employment for its young people in the future,” Wolfe said.
Despite his lack of experience in academia, Wolfe says he has a passion for higher education, which he credits in part to both his parents being college professors. He also says he’ll visit all four system campuses over the next few months and meet with faculty, alumni and donors:
“I need to learn more about the University of Missouri System…admittedly, this will be a cram course, and just like in college I expect to have to pull a few all-nighters, but I’m up for this challenge,” Wolfe said.
You can read more extensive biographical information about Wolfe here.
The man who Wolfe replaces, Gary Forsee, had this to say about Wolfe's appointment in a written statement:
“I applaud the selection of Tim Wolfe as the next president of the University of Missouri System. As a Missourian, a graduate, and an accomplished executive, he will bring the requisite skills and passion to the role of president. He understands the critical role of public higher education and the unique role each of the four campuses of the system plays in our state. He understands the stewardship and accountability that he is being entrusted with and all Missourians should reciprocate by giving him their full support.”
