Gov. Heineman to Apply for Presidency of the University of Nebraska

Gov. Dave Heineman announced his intention to apply for the position of President of the University of Nebraska by sending a letter to the Board of Regents. “Yesterday, I notified the University of Nebraska Board of Regents of my intention to pursue the position of President,” said Gov. Heineman. “One of Nebraska’s greatest assets is the University of Nebraska. The next President will have an opportunity to build upon President Milliken’s successes and to lead the University of Nebraska to an even more successful future.” In his letter, Gov. Heineman stated, “Nebraskans know the value and the importance of access to a high quality, affordable higher education.” Gov. Heineman outlined his priorities for the University of Nebraska if he were President. “First we should continue to offer affordable tuition rates for students. I worked with President Milliken and the Legislature to fund a two-year tuition freeze for Nebraska students. Reaching student enrollment goals is critical to the University’s financial stability.” “I worked closely with President Milliken and the Legislature to increase state funding for the University of Nebraska when most states were cutting funding to their higher education institutions. We secured $25 million for Innovation Campus in Lincoln, $50 million for the Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, $15 million for an allied health professions college at UNK and $6 million for a veterinary diagnostic lab at UNL.” “I would like to expand the University of Nebraska’s research activity, capabilities and opportunities. The potential for funding educational research is enormous. I am prepared to work with our federal partners and our donor community to increase research funding.” Gov. Heineman praised the faculty at the University of Nebraska campuses. “It is essential to the success of the University of Nebraska to recruit and maintain outstanding faculty, and to encourage increased faculty development opportunities. Faculty are one of the most important assets of the University and the key to academic excellence. I look forward to partnering with them to enhance the University’s academic reputation.” “Nebraska can be a national leader in several targeted areas of research through its investments in the Buffett Early Childhood Center, the Daugherty Water for Food Institute, the Rural Futures Institute, the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Innovation Campus, and the National Strategic Research Institute. These initiatives create excellent partnering opportunities with the private sector and they are important to job creation, growth and retaining our young graduates.” Gov. Heineman expressed his support of the University of Nebraska Foundation and pledged to work with them to achieve greater results. “Nebraskans want to invest in the University of Nebraska because we know that an outstanding higher education is the key to our sons’ and daughters’ future.” Finally, the Governor stressed the importance of the University’s involvement in Nebraska’s P-16 Initiative. He outlined its success. “Our team effort in partnership with schools, colleges, and educators has resulted in increased high school graduation requirements, the second highest high school graduation rate in America and a top 10 college-going rate. We are also focused on increasing the graduation rates of Nebraska’s colleges and universities.” Letter to Board of Regents (pdf)