Dixie State College president to step down after 12 years

In the 12 years Robert Huddleston has been president of St. George's Dixie State College, enrollment has grown from 3,000 to 8,000 and Huddleston has been praised for having one of the best-managed institutions in the state.

Now he just wants to teach in DSC's business department.

DSC officials announced Tuesday that Huddleston will give up his $122,400 annual president's salary as of June 30, 2005. His plan is to take a year off and begin teaching fall semester 2006.

A search by the State Board of Regents for Huddleston's replacement will begin immediately.

"Twelve years is plenty of time," Huddleston said in an interview. That's it," he said, giving no other reason for stepping down. "It's not very glamorous."

Last year Huddleston had his name in the ring to become president at Salt Lake Community College. That school is close to naming finalists in a second search. He's also had offers outside Utah for leadership roles.

"I just didn't want to leave St. George," he said. It's where his grandchildren live.

While at DSC, Huddleston was a quiet leader who describes himself as "goal-oriented" and "pretty competitive." He'll be remembered as the president who took DSC from a two-year to a four-year college. His mantra: accountability.

"Some people look at public and higher education as kind of a soft organization where there's not a lot of accountability and not a lot of promotion of improvement," Huddleston said. "I disagree. We need to be held accountable. . . . We need to respond to the citizenry."

Huddleston is credited with establishing the first paid professional position for economic development in Washington County.

Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner Rich Kendell said a new president will continue Huddleston's successful efforts at fund raising and building partnerships with the business community.

"Bob was really committed to doing that, and I think there will have to be more of that in the future," Kendell said.

Continued growth in the area and on campus will be another challenge for the next DSC leader, Kendell added.

While each of Utah's 10 public institutions have felt the pinch of less state funding — and more students — in recent years, Huddleston has guided DSC through lean times.