BYU-Idaho interim president named

REXBURG, Idaho — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has appointed Robert M. Wilkes as interim president of Brigham Young University-Idaho, effective Dec. 1.

Wilkes has served at Ricks College/BYU-Idaho as a faculty member, department head, division chairman and, most recently, as the student life vice president. He held the position from January 1999 through December 2003.

"He was instrumental in executing the transition of Ricks College to BYU-Idaho and is intimately aware of the mission of the university and brings broad experience and sound judgment to this new responsibility," a First Presidency statement says.

Wilkes and his wife, Estella, will be introduced to the campus community by Elder David A. Bednar at the weekly devotional on Tuesday.

Elder Bednar is the current president of BYU-Idaho, having been called to the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve in October.

Wilkes was born and reared in Afton, Wyo. He served as a full-time missionary in the Central States Mission and received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in history and physical education. He also holds a master of education degree in educational administration. He also studied at the University of Wyoming and University of Nevada at Reno.

Wilkes began his employment at Ricks College in 1970 as a faculty member in the Department of Religion. He served five years as chairman of the Department of Recreation Education, five years as chairman of the

Division of Religious and Family Living, and four years as chairman of the Division of Education.

He has also served twice as an LDS bishop and also had assignments as counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, stake president, regional representative and president of the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission from 1995 to 1998.

Wilkes and his wife, Estella, are the parents of six children, three girls and three boys, and have 19 grandchildren.