MANDAN - Bill Goetz's long history in North Dakota with government and higher education gave him the edge Friday in the search for a university system chancellor.
The state Board of Higher Education decided unanimously to hire Gov. John Hoeven's chief of staff and former Dickinson State University administrator to oversee the system's 11 colleges and universities.
Board members spent Friday morning at a Mandan hotel interviewing Goetz and the other finalist, Paul Keys, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Governors State University, University Park, Ill.
Board member Richie Smith of Wahpeton said both men brought unique qualifications to the job.
"Both of these gentlemen, in my opinion, would be excellent chancellors," said Smith, who served as chairman of the search committee.
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Although Keys could bring a new perspective and national and international higher education contacts, Goetz would have a much shorter learning curve, members said.
Goetz graduated from Bismarck State, Minot State and the University of North Dakota before working at DSU for 30 years as professor and administrator.
He has been chief of staff for two governors over nearly 10 years and served in the Legislature for 18 years.
"Talk about someone being able to hit the ground running," Smith said.
Goetz's extensive management and leadership experience make up for his lack of a degree higher than the master's level, Board member Bev Clayburgh said.
"It doesn't bother me that he doesn't have a PhD because I think he has plenty of PhDs around who can fill in the gaps," Clayburgh said.
Goetz emphasized during his interview that Hoeven had no role in his decision to pursue the chancellor job. He said he only discussed that with his wife, Marion.
"There aren't any other strings attached," Goetz said.
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Once he is chancellor, his loyalty is to the university system, Goetz said.
Board member Bruce Christianson initially voted against hiring Goetz, but changed his vote after the majority of members voted yes.
Christianson was willing to take a bold step and go with someone unknown.
Goetz begins his new job July 1 and is to be paid $170,000 annually, with a $20,000 housing and hosting allowance and an $11,000 vehicle allowance.
The board previously approved a salary range of $170,000 to $200,000 for the position.
Chancellor Eddie Dunn is retiring June 30. He's held the position since August, when Robert Potts resigned after a dispute with the board over his authority.
"It really makes me feel good as I leave this position to have someone of the character, knowledge and integrity of Bill taking over this position," Dunn said.
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