Latest news with #KevinKregel
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The University of Iowa's College of Law has promoted its interim dean. What to know
The University of Iowa has named a new College of Law dean nearly a year after initiating a nationwide search. Longtime faculty member and current interim dean of the College of Law, Todd Pettys, will continue to lead the school for the next two years. The university plans to launch a national search for his successor before Pettys' term expires in 2027. Pettys has worked for the University of Iowa since 1999 and holds the H. Blair and Joan V. White Chair in Civil Litigation. He has been the interim dean of the school since Jan. 1. He was the college's associate dean for faculty from 2011 to 2015. Pettys has earned numerous honors for his expertise in constitutional law, federal courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court and is also an elected member of the American Law Institute. More: Group protests ICE in Cedar Rapids in show of solidarity with Los Angeles demonstrations 'While serving as interim dean of the College of Law, Todd has demonstrated strong, collaborative leadership that has guided the college through a seamless transition,' said Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost, in a news release. 'After conversations with many in the college, it became clear that Todd's deep institutional knowledge, national reputation, and commitment to the Iowa Law community make him the right person to lead at this time.' In December, the University of Iowa announced that it had "temporarily suspended" its nationwide search for a new dean. Former dean Kevin Washburn announced his resignation in May 2024. Washburn is still a part of the UI faculty and has led the college since 2018. More: University of Iowa eyes big upgrades like $28M tech lab renovation, medical campus water tower The university identified three finalists: Rebecca Ernst Zietlow, interim dean of the University of Toledo in Ohio; Melissa Mortazavi, the presidential professor of law at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma; and Lumen (Lou) N. Mulligan, dean and professor of law at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. 'I am humbled by the opportunity to continue leading Iowa Law during this important time,' said Pettys in a news release. 'I look forward to working with our extraordinary community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni to build on our strengths and continue moving the college forward.' The university said it needs more time to decide on a full-time dean. (This article has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: UI College of Law promotes Todd Pettys to dean through 2027
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The UI will use parts of $15M in funding on an art building reno, exercise oncology clinic
Tapping into its nearly $1 billion public-private partnership (P3) endowment fund, the University of Iowa plans to invest $15 million to support various projects across campus, anchored by a renovation, a new clinic, and initiatives aimed at staff retention. The P3 funding originated in 2020, when the Iowa Board of Regents approved the University of Iowa to enter a 50-year partnership with ENGIE North America and Meridiam. More: Finding connection and healing, how a free Iowa City yoga class is helping curb addiction ENGIE paid $1.1 billion upfront to manage the UI's utility system for 50 years. In 2020, the university spent $153 million to pay off existing debt and $13 million to cover consulting fees. The remainder of the upfront payment, around $999 million, will go into an endowment to fund the University of Iowa's Strategic Plan. The five priorities for the 2022-2027 plan include: excellence in teaching and learning, innovative research and creative discovery, welcoming environment, holistic well-being and success, and transformative societal impact. "The P3 program helps us turn great ideas into real progress," said Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost, in a news release. "By aligning our investments with areas of need and opportunity, we are achieving new levels of student success, faculty excellence, and impact across the university." The endowment allows "the university to invest about $15 million per fiscal year." Here is how the University of Iowa will use the $15 million in fiscal year 2026: The University of Iowa is investing $3 million to renovate the Performing Arts Annex (formerly the Old Museum of Art) at 150 North Riverside Drive, which will become the home of the Department of Dance. The $37 million renovation that will transform the 88-year-old building into the new home of the UI's Graduate College, the College of Education—Art Education and Maker Space, and the School of Planning and Public Affairs. The university previously used $6 million in P3 funds to support the project. More: University of Iowa plans $37M Art Building renovation to house grad college, college of education The building sustained significant flood damage in 2008 and was restored to its original state with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. Work on the latest renovation started in February. The project will be substantially complete by August 2026. The University of Iowa will take on a three-year, $642,896 project to create an exercise oncology clinic. The clinic will focus on "improving the health and quality of life for cancer survivors" through "personalized exercise programs and advanced imaging technology." More: The University of Iowa's College of Law has promoted its interim dean. What to know The clinic will be part of the Department of Health and Human Physiology and serve as "a clinical research hub" exploring the benefits of physical activity in rehabilitation for cancer survivors. The University of Iowa's remaining $11.36 million in P3 funding will support "additional strategic plan initiatives throughout the year," according to a news release. However, $4 million of the reserved funds will support the "High Impact Hiring Initiative," which aids in recruiting and retaining elite faculty across colleges and departments. More: A new country bar moves in, Fieldhouse finds a new home in downtown Iowa City shakeup The University of Iowa has invested P3 funds into the "High Impact Hiring Initiative" since 2021, supporting "75 faculty recruitments and 32 retentions across 10 colleges." Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: How is the University of Iowa planning to spend $15M in funding?
