Donald Burnett, the dean of the University Of Idaho College Of Law, has been appointed interim president of the university. He succeeds Duane Nellis, who is taking the job as president of Texas Tech.
When Burnett's mother was a student at the University of Idaho during The Great Depression, she worked in the university library for 35 cents an hour. Don Burnett's father also attended the university and hunted in the area between Moscow and nearby Pullman, WA to provide food for his fraternity.
Their son will now take over as president of the University of Idaho on June 1.
"I will endeavor to strengthen our frameworks of excellence and to advocate for the special character and the special mission of this university," Burnett said.
Burnett was appointed interim president during a special meeting of the Idaho State Board of Education in Moscow Wednesday. His annual salary will be $240,000. Outgoing President Duane Nellis says they'll work together to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Burnett will serve until a permanent successor to Nellis is hired. That search process is now getting underway.