UI vice president may leave school

Wed., Dec. 15, 2004

Associated Press

UI president update

President White leaves hospital

» University of Idaho President Tim White was discharged from Gritman Memorial Medical Center on Tuesday, according to a press release from the university.

» White is expected to return to work Thursday after suffering a mild heart attack over the weekend, according to the press release.

» White reportedly began experiencing minor chest pains Saturday morning, but he said the pain subsided and he proceeded with the college's December commencement activities.

When the pain increased Sunday, White checked into the hospital.

» The college said White underwent testing and "was released with a clean bill of health."

» "I appreciate all of the warm expressions of concern from faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends," White said. "Karen and Logan and I feel greatly supported by your good will."

– From staff reports

MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho could be losing its financial vice president after only five months on the job.

Jay Kenton, who was named to the post by new University of Idaho President Tim White, is one of three finalists for vice chancellor of finance and administration for the Oregon University System.

Kenton, 47, had served as the financial vice president at Portland State University before he came to the University of Idaho earlier this year.

Kenton is widely viewed as a key component to efforts to shore up the fiscally struggling University of Idaho.

The school spent $67,000 on a national search for a financial vice president earlier this year and four candidates were interviewed for the position.

But White selected Kenton based at least in part on their personal relationship, said Idaho spokeswoman Kathy Barnard.

White was not available for comment this week after suffering a mild heart attack over the weekend.

Kenton was interviewing for the vice chancellor position in Eugene, Ore., and was not available for comment.

Idaho does not yet have plans in place to hire a replacement should Kenton get the job overseeing the budgets of Oregon’s seven public universities, according to Barnard.

Other candidates for the Oregon job are Nancy Heiligman, now assistant vice chancellor for budget operations with the Oregon University System; and Olin Cleve McDaniel, now vice president of the Educational Consulting Foundation in Bakersfield, Calif.

Oregon University System spokeswoman Di Saunders said that a final decision is expected to be announced just before or just after Christmas.

Kenton’s salary at the University of Idaho is $155,000, and he has a one-year contract.

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