President Kennedy Candidate for UCF President's Job

[fightingsioux4life]

The following announcement from President Mark Kennedy was just released on UND e-mail:

Quote

Having been nominated to consider the role of President of the University of Central Florida (UCF), I responded to the executive search firm’s inquiry and have been included in a group to proceed to initial interviews. This accelerated search process is scheduled to be concluded by March 9.

Both Debbie and I love the University of North Dakota and enjoy living in Grand Forks. We are not anxious to leave. I remain focused on my duties at UND and would very much look forward to continuing to work with the excellent team at UND to advance our One UND Strategic Plan if not selected by UCF.

Any thoughts? What are the odds that this actually happens?

[gfhockey]

Let’s send him packing for even looking this early in the ball game. 

[SWSiouxMN]

2 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

The following announcement from President Mark Kennedy was just released on UND e-mail:

Any thoughts? What are the odds that this actually happens?

But but Kennedy is the worst thing to happen to UND in years!!!!

Anything is possible but I doubt he leaves.  Must be doing good work to be wanted.

[Siouxperman8]

Really?  How long has he been on the job - 1.5 years? 

 

[nodak651]

hope he stays.  UCF is a huge school.

[ChrisUND1]

If not selected, I wonder what his "cred" will be on the UND campus?  Gotta think he will continue looking for greener pastures.

 

[ChrisUND1]

1 minute ago, nodak651 said:

hope he stays.  UCF is a huge school.

https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/facts/

-66,000 students!

[Oxbow6]

31 minutes ago, gfhockey said:

Let’s send him packing for even looking this early in the ball game. 

This......^^^^

[UND1981]

This is disappointing to say the least.  UND doesn't need this kind of distraction for heaven's sake.  Bonehead decision on his part to apply for another job.

[gfhockey]

Sounds like their provost will get it as he applied last minute and was going to get the Iowa st job 

 

egg on Kennedy’s 

[Cratter]

Might have ourselves a lame duck president.

[The Sicatoka]

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

[ChrisUND1]

2 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

Most folks would probably like a president that isn't interested in another university. (money and better weather talk though)

[Teeder11]

Heard Kennedy was brought in just to get rid of WH and Faison. Mission accomplished. Sayonara! 

[Siouxphan27]

13 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

No.  But it's just what we're used to. At many positions within the U. 

[jdub27]

There's a big difference between him actively looking for a new a job and a search firm reaching out, asking him to apply and him accepting that invitation. It sounds like it was the latter and I think he'd be crazy not too look at it if approached. The outgoing president, who had been there 26 years, was making over $500K/year. The fact that he made the top 8 says a lot about what the perception of him is. Kennedy had no choice but to send out an announcement as the 8 semifinalists were publicly announced today and it looks like he has pretty decent company on the finalist list:

Quote

• James Dean, Ph.D., former executive vice chancellor and provost, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Kelvin Droegemeier, Ph.D., vice president for research, University of Oklahoma
• Suresh Garimella, Ph.D., executive vice president for research and partnerships, Purdue University
• Venu Govindaraju, Ph.D., vice president for research and economic development, University of Buffalo
• Mark Kennedy, president, University of North Dakota
• James Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D., professor and vice president of research and economic development, Georgia State University
• Dale Whittaker, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president, University of Central Florida
• Matthew Wilson, JD, president, University of Akron

[UND1981]

45 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

No problem with him applying for another job once he been here a while and has accomplished something of substance.

[JohnboyND7]

42 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

Yeah I don't understand why anyone would be mad. UND isn't an apex predator for any position other than  the head coach of men's hockey. <-- ignoring the NHL here. 

One would think having a very large school interested in your president is a compliment to the job he I is doing.  I'd prefer to be seen as a stepping stone rather than a last resort. Much more likely to attract good talent with that attitude. 

 

[UND1981]

It's another distraction for the University which we don't need right now.

[jdub27]

UCF publicly releasing the names of their 8 semi-finalists and Kennedy having to put out an announcement is also a great example of why ND took a positive step and changed the law so that only the top 3 finalists have to be publicly released for certain positions. 

[Siouxperman8]

1 hour ago, The Sicatoka said:

Would folks rather we have a president that no other university is interested in? 

I want a president that others are interested in but who would say - "thanks but I made a commitment here and they made a commitment to me and it wouldn't be right to leave after such a short time"

[Oxbow6]

56 minutes ago, JohnboyND7 said:

Yeah I don't understand why anyone would be mad. UND isn't an apex predator for any position other than  the head coach of men's hockey. <-- ignoring the NHL here. 

One would think having a very large school interested in your president is a compliment to the job he is doing.  I'd prefer to be seen as a stepping stone rather than a last resort. Much more likely to attract good talent with that attitude. 

 

..........and what is that? He hasn't been around long enough to establish anything of significance IMO and his "body of work" in education in general doesn't scream anything special at this stage either. 

[jdub27]

1 hour ago, Teeder11 said:

Heard Kennedy was brought in just to get rid of WH and Faison. Mission accomplished. Sayonara! 

He moved quicker than Kelley did on the nickname, no wonder he's in high demand. 

[Oxbow6]

Just now, jdub27 said:

He moved quicker than Kelley did on the nickname, no wonder he's in high demand. 

Hahaha....................there is truth to that!

[dden3]

Gotta make one question whether he really wanted to be here in the first place.  Have no idea whether he was doing a good job or not, but sure seems like a dick move.