IStatesman: Next UI Prez Must Be A Salesman

White will leave the university this month in much better shape than he found it. This speaks to White’s candid capacity for recognizing the university’s challenges - and his willingness to make the tough decisions required to shore up the school’s finances. His successor will have a different job, but still a difficult job. Topping the to-do list is the sales job - to donors, alums, high school seniors and their parents. Over the past four years, donors have contributed $72 million to the U of I - and White is quick to say the university must do better. The next president will take over a fundraising campaign, now in its silent phase, that could set an ambitious $300 million goal/ Idaho Statesman . More here.

Question: What quality do you consider to be most important for the next UI president?