Forsee takes over as UM president

Forsee wants to focus on informing legislatures about MU.

By Elliot Njus

Published Feb. 19, 2008

On his first day on the job, UM system President Gary Forsee promised to advocate for the system in the state and federal legislatures.

Forsee, a former chief executive at Sprint Nextel, took office Monday as the system’s 22nd president. The UM system Board of Curators selected Forsee after a yearlong search.

Forsee said that since he was hired in December, he has prepared to assume the presidency.

“Over the last six weeks, I’ve had a chance to meet previously with all the staff,” he said. “I’ve been on all the campuses. I came in ready to go to work this morning.”

Forsee sent an e-mail Monday morning to the entire system asking for support and pledging to advocate for the university.

“Part of our advocacy is to constantly remind lawmakers, alumni, citizens, that the University of Missouri has a unique mission,” he said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Forsee said that he wanted to tell legislators in Jefferson City and Washington D.C., about the university.

“My role in that, and that of the chancellors and that of the staff is going to be sure that all of our elected officials — and those running for office — know about the University of Missouri, know about our needs,” he said.

Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, has not yet met formally with Forsee, Graham’s Chief of Staff Ted Farnen said. In the Missouri Senate, Graham represents the district that includes MU.

“We’re just hopeful that he is successful during his term,” Farnen said.

Farnen said the two had met briefly, and that they are scheduled to meet to discuss university issues.

“I’m sure the senator and president Forsee agree on a lot of the same issues, like wanting to get enough funding for the university and wanting to make sure the people teaching at the university have academic freedom,” Farnen said. “Those are the issues that are both important to them.”

Forsee said he would value the support of Gordon Lamb, who served as the UM system’s interim leader during most of the search process. Lamb will stay with the system as an executive vice president. Forsee said he would ask Lamb to take on specific university projects.

“I think we were so fortunate as a university to have someone of Dr. Lamb’s experience and stature to lead our university for almost a year — nine months — as interim president,” Forsee said. “As I came on board last fall as I was having discussions about the position, I really formed a very high impression and opinion of Dr. Lamb’s background and his ability to assist not just me, but the university.”

He said Lamb would focus on distance learning, which offers classes to students who are not in a classroom. He said Lamb would also work on programs for economic development.

“I have a feeling we’ll probably come up with a few others along the way,” he said.

MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said he had discussed a number of issues with Forsee while he prepared for to take over the position. Deaton said he is confident that Forsee would work well with legislators.

“I think he’s got tremendous capability,” Deaton said. “He’s a great communicator.”

Deaton and Forsee discussed issues including economic development, faculty salaries and other strategic and “abstract issues,” Deaton said.

“I’ve had really good discussions with him,” he said.