UNM’s Frank finalist for Ohio U. post

Outgoing president 1 of 4 in running for top job at school

University of New Mexico outgoing president Bob Frank, who is on sabbatical after a dramatic conflict with university regents, has been selected as one of four finalists for president of Ohio University.

Frank, who was the 21st president of UNM in its 127 years, left his office Saturday but is still in university housing until March. He has been offered a position at the UNM Health Sciences Center.

Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio, announced Thursday that Frank is one of four candidates in the school’s search for its 21st president in its 212 years.

Frank has been on the job at UNM since 2012. His departure comes after several months of exchanges with regents that included leaked documents critical of Frank’s managerial style and criticism from local politicians and community members about what some call a revolving door for university presidents.

Since 1998, the school has had six presidents. None has had a contract renewed.

This week, two prominent school donors and community leaders, Terri Giron-Gordon and her husband Gary Gordon, announced they are withdrawing some of their financial support for the school over the clash between the regents and

Frank and instability in the school’s presidency, which they blamed on regents.

“We cannot continue to invest in an institution at which the board (of regents) culture does not allow for long-term presidential leadership,” the two wrote in their Wednesday letter to the regents, which was also sent to the Journal.

The UNM Foundation and the Alumni Association Board were unavailable for comment Thursday.

Frank said Thursday that the news of the Gordons’ withdrawal of support was both comforting and upsetting.

“It makes me feel very sad, actually. I love the University of New Mexico and graduates of the University of New Mexico. I deeply appreciate that they care about how I was treated. And I’m very sad that this controversy exists,” Frank said. “But really, I’m sad the consequence is anything that hurts this university.”

Provost Chaouki Abdallah is serving as interim president.