Randy Boyd, the Knoxville entrepreneur who made improving education a key plank in his failed bid this summer to be Tennessee's governor, will take over as interim University of Tennessee system president when current President Joe DiPietro retires in November.
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees voted Tuesday morning to appoint Boyd to the role. As the board started its vote, a few students began protesting.
Before this, a few students interrupted the vote and approached Chair Compton with a petition against the appointment. They were asked to leave. There was some profanity.
After the interruption, the board unanimously voted to appoint Boyd as interim UT system president.
Boyd will serve as interim president for up to 24 months or until the effective date of appointment of a new president following an external search. DiPietro said he would formally retire in February and informally leave in November.
A handful of speakers had signed up in advance to address the board about its decision. Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) and a student endorsed Boyd. Two other students, a researcher and the faculty senate president brought up some of their concerns about Boyd's leadership--mainly about his experience and commitment to diversity.
Boyd addressed those concerns later in the meeting. He said he believes there is still opportunity for leadership without being an expert.
"I just want to share with those that maybe feel that, you know, you need to have a Ph.D. or be a professor to run a university," Boyd said. "I understand your argument but I'll share this with you. I'm not an engineer, and yet I run a company with over 100 engineers that design a lot of really cool pet products all the time. I've created I think a great culture for them to thrive in. I think we can do that here as well."
On diversity, Boyd said he wants to make sure UT has "a welcoming, diverse and supportive culture."
"I believe that we need to continue to make sure we have a very warm and welcoming culture at the University of Tennessee for people of all faiths, religions, genders, nationalities," Boyd said.
When asked if he would consider the presidency beyond an interim role, Boyd said he's committed to 12-24 months.
"Right now I'm committing myself to 12-24 months," Boyd said. "That's the term I've negotiated with my wife and for me to do it beyond that I'd have to re-enter those negotiations."
Tuesday's vote marks a first for the university's new, smaller board of trustees.
Boyd's appointment gives the new board of trustees time to think more completely about where UT goes now. DiPietro has been system president since 2011.
Gov. Bill Haslam is in the final months of his second term and UT Knoxville needs a new chancellor, with DiPietro's dismissal of Beverly Davenport in the spring.
Haslam is a longtime champion and friend of Boyd, who served as the governor's commissioner of economic development for two years. Before that Boyd was Haslam's special adviser on higher education, helping to boost development of state initiatives to increase the number of Tennesseans with advanced job skills and training.
The system president oversees several campuses including UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga and UT Martin.
First look at Boyd's vision for UT
Boyd gave an overview of what he wants to work on during his interim presidency.
Boyd said he wants to find strong leadership to lead the Knoxville campus and succeed him at UT.
"If we do that one thing right, then we've been successful," Boyd said.
Boyd said the chancellor search for the Knoxville campus is a top priority, but the timing of it will be determined by the board.
He also said he wants to work on the brand, system-campus relationships, talent development, graduation rates, research and preparing a new strategic plan. He said the next few months will include lots of listening and visiting campuses.
Boyd said he believes it's up to individual campus leadership to make decisions on outsourcing.
A little about Boyd
Boyd is a University of Tennessee graduate.
The South Knoxville native and his wife Jenny are longtime supporters of education in Tennessee. The Boyds have given money to support local secondary schools are well as the University of Tennessee.
Their monetary gifts support the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research and the Boyd Venture Challenge, which is a seed grant program for student entrepreneurs.
Boyd founded Radio Systems Corp. in the early 1990s. The privately held Knoxville company makes pet produces that include PetSafe and Invisible Fence.
He spent millions of his own money this year during the Republican primary to become governor. He came in second last month to Bill Lee, who now is running against Democrat Karl Dean in the Nov. 6 election for governor.
