The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents elected James M. Smith as the university's new president on Friday.
Smith, who previously served as the president of Northern State University in South Dakota, was chosen after a national search process that began in April 2015.
“This is a special moment in the 167-year history of our University, as we elect Dr. Smith as our 23rd president,” Board of Regents Chairman Mike Morris said in a release. “He brings extraordinary energy, vision and experience to this role. I join the entire Eastern Michigan community – students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters – in welcoming Dr. Smith to a special place that emphasizes teaching, student-faculty engagement, and student success.”
Before his role as NSU president, Smith was vice president for economic development at Bowling Green University.
“I am honored to be selected as the next president of Eastern Michigan University,” Smith said in a release. “This is an outstanding opportunity. Eastern Michigan University is poised for wonderful things, with terrific curricula that are appealing to undergraduate, graduate, transfer and non-traditional students. I am looking forward to getting to know Eastern’s esteemed faculty members, student support staff, and of course, the outstanding students at Eastern.”
Under his leadership, NSU received a $15 million gift, the largest in the university's history and also developed the only Confucius Institute in the Dakotas.
Smith will begin his presidency in July and received a five-year contract with an annual salary of $400,000.
