|
Nevada System of Higher Education
System Administration
5550 W. Flamingo Rd., Suite C-1
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
Tel: (702) 889-8426
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2005
Contact:
John Kuhlman
(702) 889-8426
DRI President Contract Renewed Through 2009
RENO –
The Board of Regents yesterday concluded the periodic evaluation of President
Stephen Wells and renewed his contract as well as approved a supplemental
compensation package provided by the university’s foundation.
“President Wells has done an outstanding job leading the Desert Research
Institute,” said Dr. Stavros Anthony, Board chair. “He has
continuously demonstrated that his vision and talent have played a vital role
in the increasing international recognition of DRI.”
Regents conduct annual evaluations and periodic evaluations of all eight NSHE
presidents. Wells’ periodic evaluation incorporated a wide range of
feedback from faculty, staff, and members of the community.
Wells’ new contract was renewed through June 30, 2009. His base salary
will be $228,000, effective today. He will continue to receive the presidential
annual perquisites of an $8,000 car allowance, $24,000 housing allowance, and
a $5,000 host account.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as president of such a
distinguished, world-renowned organization for environmental research,”
said Wells. “I am surrounded and supported by the most talented and
dedicated team of faculty, staff, students and foundation trustees who
understand DRI’s drive to advance scientific knowledge that benefits
society as a whole. I look forward to the next several years of growth in our
research enterprise and the future accomplishments that DRI will have through
cutting-edge contributions that continue to positively affect Nevada and the
world.”
(More)
BOARD RENEWS WELLS CONTRACT 2/2
Since becoming president of DRI in 1999, Wells has been instrumental in growing
DRI’s research portfolio through interdisciplinary research and federal
initiatives. By working closely with Nevada’s Congressional delegation,
DRI has seen a 20-fold increase in funding of federal initiatives from $400,000
per year to $19 million for fiscal year 2005. Additionally, DRI has
experienced overall research growth of 60 percent, including a 136 percent
increase in support from the National Science Foundation.
Wells is the vice president and councilor of the Geological Society of America
and serves on the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, a nationally prominent
environmental advisory body to the National Academy of Sciences. Before
serving as DRI president, he was the executive director and research professor
of DRI’s former Quaternary Sciences Center from 1995-1998.
The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 13-member governing body for the
Nevada System of Higher Education. Comprising two doctoral-granting
universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one
environmental research institute, the NSHE serves the educational and job
training needs of the nation’s fastest growing state. As Nevada’s
only system of higher education, the NSHE provides educational opportunities to
more than 100,000 students.
-30-
|
