Board of Regents Honors Outgoing UNI President Ben Allen

At it's last Board of Regents meeting, the regents issued a resolution honoring outgoing University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen.

Allen, who has been UNI's president for six years, will retire in July. He was named president in April 2006 and assumed his duties in June 2006.

Here is the proclamation:

WHEREAS, when Benjamin J. Allen assumed the position as the 9^th president of the University of Northern Iowa on June 5, 2006, he brought to the university and the State of Iowa an exceptionally strong leadership style that provided an unwavering commitment and dedication to excellence for seven years; and 

WHEREAS, under President Allen’s leadership, the University of Northern Iowa achieved the most successful fundraising campaign in history, surpassing the fundraising goal for the “Imagine the Impact” campaign, and securing the three largest gifts in the university’s history.  The largest gift being a $15 million gift from Des Moines businessman Richard O. Jacobson to the College of Education for teacher education which includes endowed student scholarships and faculty positions in literacy and science, visiting faculty fellows, an annual education summit,  and teacher education programs and research. 

WHEREAS; President Allen initiated the development of the 2010-2015 strategic plan that provided clear direction as well as objective ways to measure accomplishments; and

WHEREAS; President Allen worked expertly to strengthen and bolster the University of Northern Iowa’s leadership role in education by securing private funds for a Comprehensive Literacy Center and co-chairing the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council to improve statewide access to STEM educational opportunities, improve STEM teacher recruitment and preparation, and foster public/private partnerships to enhance support for STEM education; and  

WHEREAS; President Allen provided outstanding leadership by successfully managing through significant budget reductions at the university, making difficult decisions to focus resources while maintaining an emphasis on preserving educational quality, ensuring that students’ progress toward graduation would not be impeded, and sustaining student financial assistance; and

WHEREAS; President Allen was a strong advocate for the University of Northern Iowa and developed positive working relationships with public officials and private citizens and effectively communicated the university’s unique role in serving Iowa students; and

WHEREAS; President Allen valued student leadership and maintained an effective working relationship with the student government leaders, he enthusiastically supported students’ activities, and he taught leadership seminars for presidential scholars; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Regents expresses its profound gratitude to President Benjamin J. Allen for his strong leadership, bold vision, valuable knowledge and experience; and presents to him this plaque in recognition and honor of his extraordinary service and contributions to the State of Iowa, the Board of Regents, and the University of Northern Iowa.

Presented April 25, 2013.

Craig A. Lang, President

Bruce L. Rastetter, President Pro Tem

Nicole C. Carroll   Jack B. Evans  David W. Miles

Robert N. Downer  Ruth R. Harking  Katie S. Mulholland

Hannah M. Walsh

Robert Donley, Executive Director

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