AUSTIN, TexasMark G. Yudof, president of the University of Minnesota and a former administrator at The University of Texas at Austin, was named as the sole finalist for chancellor of the UT System on Friday (May 31).
Yudof was selected by the UT System Board of Regents during a special meeting by telephone conference call. State law requires that finalists for the position of chancellor be named by a board of regents at least 21 days before a final decision.
During the next 21 days, the board will coordinate meetings between Yudof and state leaders, higher education officials, advisory councils of the UT System, and others so they may provide comments to the board.
“After a comprehensive nationwide search, the board is pleased to name a finalist who is eminently qualified for the position of chancellor,” said Charles Miller, chairman of the board. “Mark Yudof has proven himself to be a great leader and a highly skilled academic administrator. His broad experience includes oversight of a major public university system including an academic health center. The University of Texas System and all of Texas will be exceptionally well-served by him.”
If appointed by the Board of Regents, Yudof would begin serving as chancellor by late summer. The board began conducting a search after Chancellor R. D. Burck announced last August that he would step down from the position no later than September 2003.
Yudof has been president of the University of Minnesota since 1997. During his tenure there, he has promoted initiatives to improve undergraduate education; emphasize research in digital technology, agriculture, and genetics; and renovate buildings and beautify the university’s four campuses. He also has taught freshman seminars on students and the U.S. Constitution and on race, equality and the public schools.
At UT Austin, Yudof was executive vice president and provost from 1994 to 1997 and dean of the School of Law from 1984 to 1994. He came to UT Austin in 1971 as an assistant professor of law and continued to teach throughout his career at the university.
Yudof is an authority on public school finance and has written on topics such as contracts, constitutional law, and property taxes. At UT Austin, he taught constitutional law, education law, and contracts.
He holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.
For further information contact: Monty Jones, (512) 499-4363.
