DENVER COLO The University of Colorado Board of Regents announced today their intention to select former Senator Hank Brown, 65, as the 21st president of the University of Colorado.
Brown, currently President and CEO of the Daniels Fund, would take over CU’s top post on August 1, and would serve until a permanent president is appointed by the Board of Regents at the conclusion of the search process, which is in progress.
In accordance with state law, a formal letter of offer will be sent to Brown after a 14 day waiting period. The letter of offer will be subject to Brown receiving a faculty appointment and to final approval by the Board of Regents. Brown has indicated that he will accept the offer. The Board would then convene publicly to officially vote to elect him the 21st president.
In the meantime, the Regents, through an appointed presidential search committee, will continue to look for a candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis.
“I am honored to be considered as the sole finalist for the position of president of the University of Colorado, said Brown. “As an alum, this is a true privilege to have the opportunity to continue the leadership and vision of this extraordinary university.”
The University of Colorado Regents held a special meeting today to consider the appointment of a university officer. After an executive session, the regents voted to designate Brown as the sole finalist for the presidential post and authorized the Chair to extend a letter of offer to Brown. Brown has indicated that he will accept the offer. Additionally, he would receive a housing allowance, with the understanding that his home will be used for university purposes, as well as the standard car allowance. Although there is a University Residence available for the president, he would not be required to live there.
“We are pleased Hank Brown has indicated his willingness to accept our offer to serve as CU’s 21st president,” said Board of Regents Chair Jerry Rutledge. “We have great challenges, but more importantly we have great opportunities ahead of us. Hank has the experience to help the University seize the opportunities that will guide CU during these times.”
As president and CEO of the Daniels Fund, Brown presides over the billion dollar foundation left by the late cable entrepreneur, Bill Daniels.
Prior to his employment with the Daniels Fund in July 2002, Brown served as the 11th President of the University of Northern Colorado. Brown has held tenured faculty positions at both the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado. Before becoming UNC’s President, he served Colorado in the United States Senate and five consecutive terms in the U.S. House representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. He also served in the Colorado Senate from 1972-76. Brown was elected and re-elected to the House of Representatives by margins ranging from 69 percent to 74 percent, the highest in the history of the District. He was elected to the U.S. Senate by a 13 percent victory margin.
Brown was a Vice President of Monfort of Colorado from 1969 to 1980. He is both an attorney and a C.P.A. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Colorado in 1961 and served as CU’s Student Body President. He earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 1969. While in Washington, Brown earned a Master of Law Degree in 1986 from George Washington University. In 1988, he passed the exam to become a certified public accountant.
Brown served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-66. He volunteered for service in Viet Nam and was decorated for his combat service as a forward air controller. The Colorado native and his wife Nan live in Denver. They have three adult children, Harry, Christy, and Lori; and two grandchildren, Lilly and Hank.