KELSEY WALLING / HAWAII TRIBUNE HERALD / SEPT. 24 The University of Hawaii Board of Regents today selected Wendy Hensel as the next president of the 10-campus UH system. She is seen here last month during a public forum at UH-Hilo.
KELSEY WALLING / HAWAII TRIBUNE HERALD / SEPT. 24 The University of Hawaii Board of Regents today selected Wendy Hensel as the next president of the 10-campus UH system. She is seen here last month during a public forum at UH-Hilo.
Wendy Hensel, 54, vice chancellor and university provost of the City University of New York, was unanimously selected today by the regents of the University of Hawaii to become the next UH president, with an annual salary of $675,000.
If she agrees, Hensel will take over the 10-campus system following the December retirement of current President David Lassner.
Several regents were disappointed that the search for UH’s 16th president did not produce a qualified local candidate.
But ultimately, “this is a big day for everyone,” said former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who is now one of 11 regents.
Several regents had high praise for the other finalist, Julian Vasquez Heilig, 49, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Western Michigan University, but ultimately voted for Hensel.
She will earn $675,000 for each of the three years, with an option for two more years, in addition to a $7,000 monthly housing allowance and moving expenses.
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The regents’ offer to Hensel — a Harvard Law School graduate, U.S. Supreme Court intern and former dean of Georgia State University Law School — includes a fall back position for tenure at the William S. Richardson School of Law from UH when she steps down as UH president.
“I have no reservations” about Hensel, said student regent Joshua Faumuina, who is a student at UH law school.
Like other regents, Abercrombie also praised Vasquez Heilig and the future for his academic career.
“Dr. Vasquez Heilig’s day is coming, Abercrombie said.
Vice President Laurie Tochiki, a law school graduate and parent of a UH-Manoa graduate, called Vasquez Heilig “a newcomer in so many ways.”
But in the end she preferred Hensel, partly because of her “showing grace under fire.”
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