COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Former computer software executive Timothy Wolfe was announced Tuesday as the next president of the University of Missouri, capping a year-long search that focused on finding a business-minded leader with Missouri roots.
Wolfe, 53, said he will take over as president of the four-campus system in mid-February, using the time until then to visit with people around the state and learn more about the university.
Wolfe is a Missouri native and alum of the university's flagship campus in Columbia who most recently served as president of the computer software company Novell Americas and previously spent about two decades at IBM. He replaces Gary Forsee, another former businessman, who stepped down as university president in January to care for his ill wife.
Interim president Steve Owens did not seek the job permanently and plans to return to his role as general counsel when Wolfe officially takes over as president.
The university Board of Curators started its presidential search with a list of about 100 candidates but had kept the finalist secret until Tuesday's announcement.
"I understand I do not have a career in academia, but I vividly understand the importance of higher education," Wolfe said during his introductory remarks. He added: "I'm ecstatic and proud to be the newest member of the University of Missouri family."
Wolfe quickly waded into two of the hottest topics in Missouri's higher education community: Praising the university's recent switch from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference and embracing Gov. Jay Nixon's push for performance-based funding for higher education institutions.
Curators' chairman Warren Erdman said Wolfe will be paid a base salary of $450,000 with the potential to earn up to $100,000 in performance bonuses, based on criteria to be determined in coming months.
