Presidential finalist Hank Bounds to visit University of Nebraska Dec. 7-11

Dr. Hank Bounds, commissioner of higher education for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and one of four finalists for the University of Nebraska presidency, will visit Nebraska Dec. 7-11, NU announced today.

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Bounds’ visit will include stops at each NU campus, where he will participate in forums open to all university faculty, staff and students and members of the news media and public; an interview with the full Board of Regents that will be open to the public; and meetings with other key university constituents including agricultural leaders, donors and other community leaders. Bounds will be joined on his visit by his wife, Susie.

Members of the media, university community and all Nebraskans are invited to the following opportunities to interact with Bounds and hear about his vision for the university. Following the visit, the Board of Regents invites Nebraskans to submit their feedback via an online form available at www.nebraska.edu/presidentsearch.

• Monday, Dec. 8
  3:30 p.m.: UNL campus forum
  Location: Nebraska Union Auditorium, City Campus
  (Note: This forum will be recorded and made available for viewing on the NU website following visits by all four presidential finalists, so that those unable to attend any of the public opportunities may hear Bounds’ presentation and share their feedback.)
  
  4:30 p.m.: Media availability
  Location: Nebraska Union, Regency B&C, City Campus
  
  
• Tuesday, Dec. 9
  9:30 a.m.: Interview with the Board of Regents
  Location: Varner Hall Board Room, 3835 Holdrege St. in Lincoln
  
  3:30 p.m.: UNK campus forum
  Location: Nebraskan Student Union, Ponderosa E
  
  4:30 p.m.: Media availability
  Location: Nebraskan Student Union, 2nd floor/Southwest Lounge
  
  
• Wednesday, Dec. 10
  8:30 a.m.: Media availability
  Location: Milo Bail Student Union, Chancellor’s Room
  
  9 a.m.: UNO campus forum
  Milo Bail Student Union, Nebraska Room
  
  2:30 p.m.: UNMC campus forum
  Location: Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, Room 1005

As commissioner of higher education, Bounds provides leadership for Mississippi’s university system, which includes four research and four regional universities, one academic health science center and the executive office. The universities include two land-grant universities, three historically black institutions, a law center, a School of Veterinary Medicine and 200 institutes and centers. Bounds manages the human, financial and physical resources of the university system, including 80,000 students, 26,000 faculty and staff, a $4 billion budget, and $200 million in private giving.

In Mississippi, Bounds has led efforts to reduce costs through energy and space efficiencies, technology acquisition and textbook pricing. He also worked with the Board of Trustees to implement a performance-based allocation model that rewards universities for operating efficiently and achieving attainment outcomes. On the legislative side, the Mississippi Legislature has provided an increase in appropriations and a three-year bond bill to help the universities plan for capital improvements.

Bounds facilitated the launch of the Mississippi Higher Education Opportunity Endowment, which works to secure funds to enhance program offerings, support faculty, improve campus facilities and provide scholarships at Mississippi’s historically black universities.

Bounds grew up in rural Mississippi before attending the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He earned a doctorate from the University of Mississippi.

Bounds’ photo and curriculum vitae are attached.