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UW Trustees Select Theobald as Acting President

On Monday, May 20, University of Wyoming Vice President for Finance and Administration Neil Theobald was announced as the university’s acting president.

During a special teleconference meeting, the UW Board of Trustees unanimously selected Theobald from among three finalists who were interviewed in person by the full board last week. The terms of his appointment are still being finalized, but it will be a one-year contract with an annual salary of $340,000, along with provision of a UW vehicle for his use. He will take office July 1, following the completion of current President Laurie Nichols’ contract.

Theobald has served as UW’s vice president for finance and administration since July 1, 2018.

Before that, he worked at Indiana University, where he was a tenured professor for two decades and also served in a number of administrative roles.

From 2012 to 2016, he was the president of Temple University.

Theobald received his bachelor’s degree in economics at Trinity College in 1978, before working as a high school mathematics teacher and baseball coach in Seattle, Washington. He earned his master’s degree in educational administration in 1986 and a Ph.D. in education finance in 1989, both from the University of Washington.

“I first visited the University of Wyoming campus, as a graduate student, more than 30 years ago,” Theobald recalled in a press release. “My doctoral adviser, John Goodlad, sent me to Laramie to help set up the Wyoming School-University Partnership, which continues to thrive in its mission of improving teacher education and renewing schools. I came to know and love the state during numerous visits with my good friend, Dick Andrews, former UW dean of education. It will be such an honor to work in support of our outstanding faculty, staff, and trustees as they enable student success and discover innovations that spur growth and diversification in Wyoming’s economy.”

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