Dixie State president steps down
The personnel matters were discussed in a closed meeting Thursday at the state Regents' office in Salt Lake City. Shortly after, Regent Chairman Jed H. Pitcher introduced former Weber State University president Stephen D. Nadauld as interim president of Dixie State College.
"We appreciate President Caldwell's dedicated service," Pitcher said. "We wish him well."
Nadauld had been interviewed for the job in February and is expected to begin his new position at Dixie State College today.
Caldwell's resignation came only days after the regents met on the Dixie State College campus for a regular board meeting and were hosted by the college president.
While no mention was made then of the coming change in DSC's administration, several observers said there were signs that something was up.
"There have been rumblings for the past few months," said Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, who serves as a member of the legislative higher education task force. "I can guarantee that the community will freak out because of this. It is huge news to the community."
In a news release announcing his resignation, Caldwell said he was leaving behind an inspiring institution with a strong foundation of local sacrifice and contributions.
"I feel like I came in and built on a foundation of that work commitment we call the 'Dixie Spirit,' which is we don't make excuses, roll up your sleeves and do it well, and have an entrepreneurial spirit," Caldwell said in the release. "What we've been able to add to that is a focus on national and international benchmarking and quality."
Several insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the regents forced Caldwell to resign or face being fired, even though Caldwell recently passed a yearly evaluation.
Speculation is rampant that Caldwell raised the regents' ire because of his insistence that Dixie investigate an affiliation proposal with the University of Utah or his aggressive "style" in pushing Dixie's agenda forward.
"I don't think this had anything to do with the affiliation idea," Urquhart said. "But I want to tell everyone that we're moving forward and no one is going to get in the way of this proposal."
Shandon Gubler, chairman of the DSC board of trustees, said Caldwell met with the trustees on Thursday to say goodbye.
Recent comments
Before the faculty protest too much, let's get the spelling of...
Spelling | March 31, 2008 at 7:14 p.m.
"the students, and faculty will not let this go quietly. You...
DSC Faculty Member | March 30, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.
I can't believe things are coming down to the name change again...
DSC Student | March 29, 2008 at 8:15 p.m.
