FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Ernst (702) 889-8426

RENO – The Nevada Board of Regents today unanimously approved the selection of Dr. John M. Lilley as the next president of the University of Nevada, Reno.

"The Board has a very good history of hiring excellent presidents for our institutions, and Dr. Lilley is no exception," said Thalia Dondero, Board of Regents chair. "I have every confidence that he will lead UNR to even greater accomplishments in the years ahead."

Lilley, who has been the provost at Pennsylvania State University, Erie since 1980, will assume his new duties July 1.

"A continuing commitment to the highest possible quality is essential in building a great university,' said Lilley. 'I look forward to working with my colleagues and the university's many friends as we take this major land-grant and research university to the next level of service, benefiting all of the citizens of Nevada and a larger national audience."

Lilley was selected as a result of a national search after Dr. Joe Crowley retired from the UNR presidency after 23 years of service. Dr. Stephen McFarlane has served as president in an interim capacity since January 1.

Penn State Erie saw dramatic growth under Lilley, where enrollment more than doubled to 3,800 and admissions standards rose while the teaching load was lowered to enhance its research mission.

Four schools and professionally accredited programs were developed, the campus was doubled to 750 acres, the 200-acre Knowledge Park was built, as well as five major academic buildings, five residence halls and an apartment complex. In addition, $65 million in benefactions were raised.

Lilley also played a pivotal role in garnering $10 million in state support for the Knowledge Park on campus, enabling millions of dollars of further investment, and another $30 million in a new Research and Economic Development Center, which was announced last December.

Lilley received a Bachelor's and Master's from Baylor University. He earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California in 1971 and a certificate from the Harvard Institute for Educational Management in 1978. He began his academic career at the Claremont Colleges in Southern California.

More details about Dr. Lilley's background are available at Quick Facts.

The Regent's ad hoc UNR Presidential Search Committee was charged with conducting the search and was chaired by Regent Douglas Roman Hill of Reno. The committee forwarded its recommendation of Lilley to the full Board today.

Also serving on the ad hoc committee were Regents Jill Derby, Thalia Dondero, Dorothy Gallagher and Howard Rosenberg. A community advisory panel comprised of student, faculty and community representatives also played a role in the selection process.

More than 13,000 students are enrolled in UNR's 11 schools and colleges. The university is listed among the highest category of Doctoral Extensive research institutions according to annual rankings produced by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Annual research and sponsored projects has more than doubled to $87 million annually.