BISMARCK -- It's official. Robert Potts of Florence, Ala., will be the new chancellor of the North Dakota University System beginning July 1.
Potts met with his University of North Alabama trustees Friday to tell them of his decision to take the Bismarck-based job, then notified North Dakota.
The state Board of Higher Education offered Potts the job Thursday afternoon after completing interviews with him and the other finalist, University of Idaho Provost Brian Pitcher. The vote for Potts was unanimous.
"I can't tell you how excited I am," he said by phone from Alabama late Friday. He said during Thursday's board interview that he wanted to come to the state because he was impressed with the quality of the university system. "I am just so anxious to get up there and get started."
Potts, 60, has been the president of North Alabama for more than 14 years and before that was the University of Alabama system's general counsel. He was a partner in a law firm there from 1971-83 before going to work in academia.
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"It was time to move on, and we think it's a splendid opportunity for us," he said Friday, referring to he and his wife, Irene.
Bruce Christianson of Minot, vice president of the state Board of Higher Education, said he and the rest of the board believe Potts "has the energy, enthusiasm and expertise" for the job.
Potts was born in Huntsville, Ala., and grew up in Florence.
His law degree is from the University of Alabama and he has a master's of law degree from Harvard. He also spent a year studying in England, where he met his wife, a native of Sweden.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
