ROLLA, Mo. (AP) - A former engineering dean at Boise State University in Idaho has been hired as the first female chancellor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the school announced Thursday.
Cheryl B. Schrader replaces John "Jack" Carney III, who retired last August after six years, overseeing the school's name change from the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Schrader, 49, is an associate vice president for strategic research initiatives and former engineering dean at Boise State, where she has worked since 2003. She began her teaching career at Notre Dame, where she received master's and doctorate degrees, and later taught at Rice and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
She appeared with University of Missouri system leaders Thursday afternoon at a campus news conference announcing her hire. New system President Tim Wolfe, who doesn't officially take office until mid-February, attended the meeting and was actively involved in Schrader's selection.
Schrader said she spoke with Wolfe by phone on Dec. 13, hours after his hire was publicly announced. Wolfe said he was simply following the recommendation of a campus search committee as well as his predecessor at University Hall in Columbia, interim president Steve Owens.
"After hearing their recommendations and having the opportunity to meet and interview the finalists, I fully agree with them that Cheryl can best lead this institution with her expansive vision, considerable energy, deep dedication and creativity," Wolfe said.
He commended her for increasing undergraduate engineering enrollment by 60 percent over six years as dean at Boise State. The engineering school also significantly increased its research funding under her watch.
Former provost Warren Kent Wray has been serving as interim chancellor in Rolla. Wray is one of six finalists for chancellor of North Dakota's university system. He will remain in charge at S&T until Schrader's arrival in early April.
Schrader, who earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University, said she is "deeply honored" to be selected as the school's chancellor.
"I choose to lead at institutions that are on the move," she said. "Missouri S&T's legacy and potential is truly remarkable. I see an innovative, results-driven academic and administrative leadership team - and very bright, capable students."