Des Moines Register
10-03-07
Regents' director taking new job
Gary Steinke will leave his public-education post to lead a group that advocates
for Iowa's private schools.
By ERIN JORDAN
REGISTER IOWA CITY BUREAU
The executive director of the Iowa Board of Regents will leave next month to
take over as president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities.
Gary Steinke, 49, will begin work with the association on Nov. 1. He will become
president on Jan. 1, succeeding John Hartung, who is retiring after 23 years
leading the organization.
The independent colleges association is based in Des Moines and works on
behalf of 29 private institutions in Iowa ranging in enrollment from 500 to 6,000
students.
"It's a wonderful professional opportunity for me," Steinke said. "I have always
tried to be an advocate for all sectors of education. They all have a place in the
education of Iowa students."
Regents President Michael Gartner said the board will likely appoint an interim
director later this month and then search for a permanent replacement. The
regents' next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30-31 in Iowa City.
"Gary has been an exceptional director," Gartner said. "His intellect, his great
knowledge of institutional history, his political skills and his 24-hour-a-day work
ethic have served the regents well."
Steinke's yearly salary with the regents is $149,802. He said compensation was
a factor when deciding to go to the private association. He would not say what
his new salary will be.
Hartung was paid $225,191 in the year that ended June 30, 2006, according to
the group's federal tax form. He was also provided $19,584 in "expense
account/other" compensation, according to the tax form.
The regents faced criticism from Iowa legislators and University of Iowa
employees during a long and contentious presidential search that ended in June
with the hiring of Sally Mason.
"There clearly was friction between Gary and the campus community surrounding
the presidential search," said Sheldon Kurtz, a U of I law professor and former
president of the U of I Faculty Senate. Nearly half of the nine-member board has
been replaced since that time. The change in leadership "is continuing with Gary
leaving," Kurtz said.
Steinke said he's not fleeing the scrutiny that comes with leading a high-profile
board that governs Iowa's three public universities.
"It goes with the territory," he said. "Everything that happens at the universities is
high-visibility. Sometimes it's very trying and very difficult, but it should be."
Steinke, who joined the regents staff in August 2004, was appointed executive
director in December 2005.
Leaders of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities hope
Steinke can help lobby Iowa legislators to increase the size of the Iowa Tuition
Grant program, a $48.6 million fund that provides grants to eligible Iowans who
want to study at private colleges in the state, said Kathleen Gannon, director of
marketing and public relations for the association.
Reporter Erin Jordan can be reached at (319) 351-6527 or ejordan@dmreg.com