Former U prez Bruininks named interim head of Bush Foundation

I'm not big on tracking the comings and goings of college execs (too many, too insider-baseball), but I figured Bruininks and the Bush Foundation are well-known enough to post this announcement from today (which I've edited for length).

Interesting, considering the recent Strib story and commentary.

Robert H. Bruininks Named Bush Foundation Interim President

The Bush Foundation Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Robert H. Bruininks, Ph.D., to act as the Foundation’s interim president, effective March 1, 2012.  Former president Peter C. Hutchinson stepped down in January. 

“The Board is thrilled that Dr. Bruininks has agreed to step into this interim role,” said Jan K. Malcolm, chair of the Board.  “His experience and thought leadership will ensure that progress on the Foundation’s important work continues unabated as we undertake a search for the Foundation’s next president.”  The Board has engaged the national search firm Phillips Oppenheim to lead the search process and is focused on identifying candidates to fill the presidency.

Bruininks is president emeritus of the University of Minnesota and a professor of educational and civic leadership at the University’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.  Both as a faculty member and as an administrator, Bruininks has worked to advance the public mission and responsibilities of the University.  He undertook a transformative strategic positioning effort that raised the University’s academic profile, its service to students and the community, and its stewardship of resources.  “Dr. Bruininks is a leading advocate for accountability and reform in higher education, and a strong voice for collaboration between the public and private sectors,” said Malcolm.

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