September 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacia Momburg
805-756-6260
smomburg@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Announces Changes to Executive Staff
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker announced today that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, William W. Durgin has been named University Executive for Research and External Support, effective Oct. 6. Durgin has served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs since 2006.
In announcing the reassignment, Baker said, “Bill Durgin has provided outstanding leadership of the university and we are grateful for the significant accomplishments made during his tenure as provost.”
In his new position, Durgin will work with the Provost and the Vice President for University Advancement, under the general direction of the President, on a variety of projects, including external funding, federal relations, graduate programs, academic technologies, and assisting with other needs of the university.
“I am pleased with the progress we have made and know that the course we have set will lead to even greater excellence,” Durgin said. “While I have certainly enjoyed serving as provost, I also see that I can contribute even more by focusing on issues critical to the future of this fine university consistent with my long term interest in pursuing opportunities in higher education administration. I am grateful to President Baker for seeing these needs and opportunities as I do and providing this opportunity to address them.”
Robert Koob, who served as Cal Poly’s Senior Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1990 to 1995, has been appointed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective Oct. 6, on a term appointment of up to two years. A chemist by training, he received a B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.
Prior to his tenure at Cal Poly, Koob had a distinguished career at North Dakota State University, where he served in a number of senior positions, including Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim President.
In 1995, Koob returned to his undergraduate alma mater, University of Northern Iowa (UNI) to serve as President. During his time there, UNI saw its endowment grow by more than 100%, increased its federal support seven-fold, achieved record enrollments and graduated more than one-third of the total alumni of the campus. He retired from that position in June 2006 and returned to the Central Coast.
“Cal Poly is lucky to be able to call upon such an experienced and able higher education leader,” Baker said. “Bob Koob’s work during his previous tenure as Senior Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs was extraordinary and we are grateful that he will be returning to us.”
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