Kline Named Interim President

Board of Trustees Appoints Kline Interim UNF President

JACKSONVILLE . The Board of Trustees of the University of North Florida Thursday approved the Transition Steering Committee’s recommendation that Provost Dr. A. David Kline be named interim president.

Kline will begin his duties after President Anne Hopkins resigns on Aug. 2 following summer commencement ceremonies. Hopkins announced her resignation in June because of health reasons.

The Board named Kline with the understanding that he was not a candidate for the presidency but would not be precluded from being considered for the post at a later time.

Board of Trustees Chair Carol Thompson said she looked forward to working with Kline to continue programs started under Hopkins. “We are very fortunate to have someone with your experience and qualifications to step in during this time,” she said.

Hopkins echoed those feelings saying that she was confident that Kline would effectively lead the University as the search progresses. “David is a man of enormous integrity who always has the best interests of UNF at heart,” she said.

In accepting the appointment, Kline said he is looking forward to the challenges of being interim president. “UNF is a very fine university. I am delighted and eager to work with the Board, students, faculty and staff to continue the advance of the University,” he said.

The board also approved Kline’s compensation package at $165,000, a 10 percent increase from his current salary.

The decision by the UNF Board must be ratified by the Florida Board of Education before becoming effective.

Kline, who has been vice president of Academic Affairs and provost since coming to UNF in 1996, has more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Before coming to the number two post at UNF, he was the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York - New Paltz.

His professional career started in 1976 at Illinois State University where he was an assistant professor. He then moved to Iowa State University in 1977 where he rose to professor in 1988. While at Iowa State, he also was chairman of the Department of Philosophy and the Religious Studies Program. He moved to the New Paltz position in 1990.

Kline received his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University in 1967 followed by his master’s degree in 1971 from Northern Illinois University and his doctoral degree in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin.

-30-