Kent E. Nelson Named General Counsel for the University of Idaho
Wednesday, July 12 2006
July 12, 2006 Photo is available at: www.today.uidaho.edu/PhotoList.aspx MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho has named Idaho senior deputy attorney general Kent E. Nelson as general counsel, the chief legal officer providing professional and authoritative legal and policy advice relating to all university matters. Nelson will be responsible for interpreting the constitutional, statutory and regulatory framework in which the university operates, managing all outside counsel, litigation and agency complaints. In addition, he will serve as a member of the senior executive administration and will be a member of the President’s Cabinet. He assumes his new role Sept. 17 with an annual salary of $139,984. “We are delighted to have Kent, an alumnus of the University of Idaho and someone who has worked closely with the university and our governing board over the years, take on this important role,” said University of Idaho President Timothy P. White. “His extensive law experience, combined with his knowledge and familiarity with the university and many agencies within the state of Idaho, will serve this institution well.” “The University of Idaho is deeply grateful to Sharyl Kammerzell, who has provided sound and valued counsel during a lengthy interim appointment,” said White. “I am honored by this appointment, and I am excited about the prospect of continuing my career in public service working on behalf of the University of Idaho and working with President White and the excellent team he has assembled,” said Nelson. “My wife, Wendy, and I met while we were attending the university, and we both look forward to returning to Moscow to live.” A native of Salmon and current resident of Boise, Nelson currently serves as senior deputy attorney general for Idaho in the contracts and administrative law division. In his eight-year tenure, he has provided counsel to state administrative agencies, the Board of Land Commissioners, the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho. In more than 22 years of legal work, he has served as an attorney practicing civil law with Snyder, Matthews & Nelson, PA, and Holland and Hart, both in Boise. Nelson is a member of the Idaho State Bar and the Fourth Judicial District Bar. He was a member of the Local Rules Committee for the Federal Bankruptcy Court and a barrister in the American Inn of Court #130 in Boise. He received a juris-doctorate degree and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Idaho. -30- About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. The only institution in the state earning the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity, University of Idaho researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year. UI’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 34 National Merit Scholars and a 2005-06 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, UI combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Contact: Joni Kirk, UI Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu JK-7/12/06-ADM
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.