The University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents voted unanimously in favor of naming Joan Gabel the school’s next president Tuesday. She will be the first female president in the institution’s 167-year history, replacing departing president Eric Kaler.
According to reports, the Board of Regents also unanimously approved of a $640,000 annual salary for Gabel, as well as an annual retirement contribution of $150,000, which will reach $165,000 by the end of her five-year contract.
MPR notes that her starting retirement benefits exceed Kaler’s by $100,000. In his first two years, Kaler received a $50,000 retirement contribution, though it has now reached $325,000.
Minnesota’s median household income is estimated to be $68,388, which means Gabel’s retirement benefits alone more than double the income of the average Minnesota family.
Gabel currently serves as the provost of the University of South Carolina, but will assume her new office on July 1, 2019, according to a university press release.
“I have known for a while now that the University of Minnesota is where my family and I want to be,” Gabel said Tuesday. “But after traveling across this state, meeting so many people who love the university and seeing how our research, teaching and service have real impact here and beyond, I’m even more excited to join this community and I’m honored to be named the next president of the University of Minnesota.”
Kaler announced in July that he will step down from the presidency, and will officially leave office on June 30, 2019. Gabel was the lone finalist to replace him.
“President-Designate Gabel stood out from a highly competitive pool of candidates that advanced through a thorough and thoughtful process,” Board of Regents Chair David McMillan said. “Her qualifications, combined with her warmth, energy and her genuine engagement with students, faculty, staff and others are proof that she will make an outstanding president.”
Before entering academia, Gabel worked as an attorney and received her law degree from the University of Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Haverford College.
“I am so grateful to the Board of Regents, the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and everyone I’ve met in this process,” Gabel said. “I’m very much looking forward to working together toward what I know is an incredibly bright future.”
Gabel was congratulated Tuesday by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN).
“Congratulations to Joan Gabel on being named the first woman president of the University of Minnesota. We look forward to welcoming you to our amazing campuses,” Klobuchar said.
“Excited to see the University of Minnesota has appointed its first female president in its 167-year history,” Smith added. “Congratulations Joan Gabel, and thank you for stepping up to lead a great institution.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Joan Gabel” by Joan Gabel.
Background Photo “University of Minnesota Welcome Sign” by AlexiusHoratius. CC By-SA 3.0.
