Upper Iowa University names William Duffy as 22nd president

“We have conducted a nationwide search for a new president, and recommended five candidates to the Board from which it could choose the three finalists to bring to campus for interviews,” said Cook. “The Board deliberated very carefully, but unanimously decided to forego further interviews and to select our internal candidate, who knows the University extremely well – especially its potential for growth through Academic Extension – and who has already proven that he shares the University’s mission and vision.”

“We are very grateful to the Search Committee for the excellence of the Search Process, and we are very grateful to Dr. Richard Patrick, who has done an excellent job of leading the University as acting president since last September,” Firth added. “We thank all the faculty and staff at UIU for working together without a hitch throughout this transition, and we are confident that we have found the right leader for our future.”

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been chosen by the UIU Board,” Dr. Duffy said. “I am committed to the success of this University, and I believe fully in its ability to change the lives of students. I am especially honored to lead a University that proudly serves a large number of the U.S. military family and a wide diversity of international students.”

Dr. Duffy has served Upper Iowa as senior vice president for Academic Extension for four years. He has been responsible for all off-campus offerings, including 19 UIU education centers in the United States, and the UIU distance education programs, which include online and independent study. Since last fall, he has also assumed leadership of the UIU Integrated Enrollment Center that provides student services to all elements of the University from recruitment, through admissions, enrollment, financial aid, registration, matriculation and commencement.

Before joining UIU, Dr. Duffy served for 12 years as the executive director at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he had similar responsibilities. Dr. Duffy is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army, in which he held numerous leadership positions that involved planning, organizing, managing resources/equipment and recruiting, among other responsibilities. He received his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s degree and Education Specialist degree from Appalachian State University, and his Ed.D., from the University of Memphis.                                                                                               

Dr. Duffy assumes his new responsibilities as University President immediately.