February 3, 2015
UW President Michael K. Young named sole finalist for president at Texas A&M University
University of Washington President Michael K. Young on Tuesday was named as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University by its Board of Regents. Young became President of the UW in July 2011. Young is expected to assume his duties at Texas A&M in the spring.
Statement from UW President Michael K. Young
UW President Michael K. Young.U. of Washington
“Deciding to be a candidate for the presidency of Texas A&M University was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I was not looking to leave the University of Washington, but the allure of the recruitment process led to conversations in which the opportunity to bring new leadership and fresh ideas to another outstanding university presented itself with some force.
“My time at the University of Washington without question has been the most rewarding of my professional career to date. The University is one of America’s great universities, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished here. There are many exciting initiatives in motion and much to look forward to. I believe my successor will have ample opportunity to build on what the outstanding leadership, faculty, staff, and students at the University have underway — and of course develop new initiatives of his or her own.
“The UW has many wonderful friends and supporters, both here in the northwest and around the globe. I am grateful to all of them for the support they have shown me and Marti and for their undying loyalty to the institution. I am also grateful to my many colleagues on the faculty and staff, and to our exceptional students. They have made my job relatively easy — they have achieved the many accomplishments of the university and deserve full credit. I will miss them all enormously.”
Statement from Bill Ayer, chair of the UW Board of Regents
“The news about UW President Michael Young and Texas A&M University has come as a surprise to the Board of Regents. We are saddened and disappointed at the prospect of President Young departing from the UW, but we certainly wish him and Marti well. He has accomplished a great deal at the University, including a number of bold initiatives whose fruition will come after he is gone. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his leadership.
“The Board will be convening soon to discuss succession of the presidency — on an interim basis at first and then plans for conducting a search for the next University president. We will be making announcements as decisions are reached.
“The University is thriving. We have a record number of applicants, we are the world leader among public universities for research funding, and our friends and alumni continue to show their generosity to the University in sheer record numbers. The Regents believe this remains one of the very best places in higher education to attract outstanding leadership, and we will go about the search with energy and great enthusiasm.
“In the meantime, we ask the University community to join us in expressing our appreciation to Mike and Marti Young and wishing them the very best in Texas.”
