Newman named interim UNH president

J. Bonnie Newman has been asked to return to the University of New Hampshire as interim president.

The executive committee of the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees yesterday unanimously endorsed the recommendation from Chancellor Stephen J. Reno to appoint Newman as interim president, beginning June 30.

During her career, she has held prominent leadership positions in government, higher education, and the private sector, and will return to the university where she started her professional career.

Newman will take over from Ann Weaver Hart, who is stepping down to become the next president of Temple University. The search for a new president will begin in June, and Newman is expected to serve as the interim president until a candidate has been selected and begins serving in this capacity. She is not going to be a candidate for the permanent position.

She has devoted many years of her career to higher education, including service at UNH as the assistant dean of students from 1969 to 1972, dean of students from 1972 to 1978, and interim dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics from 1998 to 1999. She also served as executive dean at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government from 2000 to 2005. She is chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors.

“The university’s immediate need is for an interim president who is well acquainted with public higher education, with the mission of UNH, and with the operations of the university system, New Hampshire state government and related entities, businesses and organizations. Ms. Newman brings just such a distinctive set of skills, interests, and experiences,” said Reno. – JEFF FEINGOLD