WWU trustees pick OSU provost as new president

BELLINGHAM – The Western Washington University board of trustees has chosen the provost at Oregon State University as the school’s 14th president.

Sabah Randhawa is OSU’s second ranking administrator. He will replace WWU President Bruce Shepard who is retiring June 30 after eight years in the role.

Randhawa was one of four finalists for the job in Bellingham, but no others were nominated by trustees to the next level.

In addition to being the school’s chief academic officer, Randhawa also serves at the OSU’s chief operating officer and manages the school’s budget planning and development.

The industrial engineer has been in his current position since 2005 and held a number of other administrative positions. He earned his master’s degree in Corvallis after moving to Oregon from his childhood home in Lahore, Pakistan.

The appointment is subject to final agreement on a contract.