Gary Forsee to begin UM System presidency Monday

COLUMBIA — Fourteen months after Elson Floyd announced his resignation, the wait for a new full-time University of Missouri System president is almost over.

Former Sprint Nextel CEO Gary Forsee will take office as the system’s 22nd president Monday morning and will hold a 1 p.m. press conference at MU’s former alumni center at 1105 Carrie Francke Drive.

Forsee will take over for Floyd, who now serves as president of Washington State University, and follows Gordon H. Lamb, the system’s interim president since April. Lamb will remain the system’s executive vice president through the end of the year per Forsee’s request.

The 57-year-old Missouri native has signed a three-year contract with a $400,000 annual salary, plus up to $100,000 in annual incentive pay. The potential bonus will be deferred until he has completed the three years of his presidency.

Forsee will also speak Thursday at the Missouri Press Association/Associated Press Day at the Missouri Capitol.

For an in-depth look at the Forsee hire and an interview with the incoming president, see the cover story of Saturday’s Missourian.