Following a conference call on Tuesday afternoon, the Montana Board of Regents offered the position of UM President to Seth Bodnar, and he accepted.
Bodnar becomes the 18th president of the university.
Associate Commissioner of Higher Education Kevin McRae said late Tuesday afternoon that the decision did come more quickly than was anticipated.
“Last week, the presidential selection committee considered the tremendous campus feedback and input that community members submitted after taking part in the public forums,” McRae said. “What struck the regents was the same strengths that impressed the committee about Seth Bodnar. He is the so-called non-traditional candidate, in that he does not have a career history in administration. Rather, he comes from a military leadership background, and is currently an executive with General Electric.”