UI president suffers mild heart attack

The University of Idaho’s new president, Timothy White, had open-heart surgery Thursday in a hospital in Corvallis, Ore.

White, who is scheduled to start work at the UI in July, had admitted himself to the hospital’s emergency room early Thursday morning with chest pain. Doctors diagnosed several blocked coronary arteries and performed a coronary artery bypass.

“This came as a complete surprise,” said White’s wife Karen in a prepared statement Friday. “He did not have any previous symptoms of heart problems.”

She said the surgeons are pleased with the outcome of the surgery and expect a full recovery. White is recovering at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

When he visited the University of Idaho this spring, White, 54, said he enjoyed such outdoor activities as hiking and camping. He also said he was in good health, but didn’t have time to exercise as much as he’d like. White has two adult children, a child in high school and a new baby.

White is currently the provost at Oregon State University, a job he’s held since 2000. He also served as OSU’s interim president in 2003.

Since his appointment was announced, the new president has spent several days each month in Moscow on university business. He was scheduled to represent the UI at a Western Athletic Conference meeting next week, but has had to cancel. Instead, UI’s interim president, Gary Michael, and Athletic Director Rob Spear will handle the WAC presentation.

“The university community shares concern for Tim’s condition and trusts in his quick and complete recovery,” said UI Provost Brian Pitcher.

UI officials expect that because of health issues, White will postpone his arrival on campus beyond July 1. “We’ll have a lot better sense what his recovery time will be next week,” said Kathy Barnard, spokeswoman for the university.