• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Education / Harreld on first year at U-I: “It’s been a whirlwind”

Harreld on first year at U-I: “It’s been a whirlwind”

May 18, 2016 By Radio Iowa Contributor

Bruce Harreld speaks after being named U-I President.

Bruce Harreld speaks after being named U-I President.

The 21st president of the University of Iowa is reflecting on his sometimes tumultuous first academic year in Iowa City. Bruce Harreld spoke with KCRG-TV. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Harreld said.

Since his hiring in November of last year, the former Kraft and IBM vice president took flack for having too little academic experience. At public events, students and faculty have protested his appointment.

Brad Pector, a U-I junior and co-creator of the group Iowans Defending Our Universities, says members still want Harreld out. “Where he comes from, his background, (he) hasn’t supported higher education before,” Pector told KCRG. “He hasn’t exactly been welcoming of some of the community members.”

Harreld insists, these days, things have calmed and cooperation has started. He believes the major critics that remain are a loud minority. “A lot of people have really come out of the wood work to help, once they realize I’m not the ogre that’s going to slash and burn,” Harreld said. “Somebody said I was going to sell Mural. Give me a break. Come on.” The University of Iowa Museum of Art owns one of Jackson Pollock’s more famous paintings, called “Mural.”

Looking to the future, Harreld said he’s developed some core goals. They include finding and better focusing university dollars, retain and attract quality educators, continue to push up four-year graduation rates, and improve the U-I’s national academic rankings. “I think anything we touch, we need to do with excellence,” Harreld said. “That isn’t to say we need to do everything. But, the things we choose to do we need to do in a world class way.”

The Board of Regents approved a 5-year contract for Harreld at $590,000 a year.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Education, News

Featured Stories

Speakers at trooper’s funeral describe Sgt. Smith as selfless, man of faith

Iowa unlikely to join 26 states with hands-free driving laws

Reynolds says Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause manageable

Iowa State Patrol tactical team leader killed in Grundy Center stand-off

Finalists chosen for the state’s top burger

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

High school sports and activities to pause for one week in July

Hawkeyes add post player

UNI’s Warren agrees to contract extension

Iowa State signs Kansas transfer

Drake elevates Pohlman to head women’s basketball coach

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC