Comments about ‘University of Utah hires within, names David Pershing president’

I'll tell ya what, if his wisdom and administrative qualities even approximate the girth of his beard, why, we're in for a great few years! Go Utes!

Glad they chose the local guy.

He resembles the old guy from Jurassic Park! That is a good omen!

Congratulations on your appointment Dr. Pershing from your friends at the Woodbury School of Business.

I'm glad they went with the candidate that was already involved in the institution. He seems like a very accomplished and driven man. I hope he helps continue to launch Utah into a bright future.

He has been at the U since '77 and been in a leadership position for the last 14 years, has a doctorate in Chemical Engineering (one of the hardest degrees you can obtain), was the dean for the College of Engineering, has 5 patents, helped win $60 million in research grants, and I'm sure that's only some of his accomplishments. I feel confident in his abilities and hope he helps the University of Utah excel to the next level. Congratulations Dr. Pershing.

Congrats, Dr. Pershing.

"Pershing, 63, said that as president, he plans to make undergraduate education a 'top priority.'"
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I hope he keeps his word and that he's successful.

The UofU had needed to place more emphasis on their undergraduate courses for decades.

I attended a class he taught on heat transfer and I liked him. He was a good teacher and he made the class fun. Best wishes to him.

Merry Christmas, U of U!

I looked at the photos that accompany this article. There are no students.

Nice move by the University to choose someone who already has a vested interest in the University and is already part of the local community. Other state run universities back east should learn a lot from this kind of wisdom I am sure (including my own alma mater University of Illinois). I wish him and the University a long and successful tenure as President.

I suspect that the UofU's low graduating rate is related to many students leaving for two years to serve LDS missions. While in theory this should not put them over 6 years, timing issues and some programs being in reality more than 4-year programs do have effects.

At my own alma mater, Wayne State Univeristy, they wish their 10-year graduation rate was as high as UofU's six-year rate.

Is the whole "graduate in 4 years" over-emphasized?

Many, many students work full-time and go to school part-time. (With the employer paying the tuition.) I see nothing wrong with this model. In fact, I suspect they get a much better education when their learning has a very heavy experience component to it.