MSU President Nietzel to step down

Missouri State University President Michael Nietzel is resigning from the university.

Nietzel, the university's ninth president, informed the university Board of Governors of his decision during an executive session Friday, citing "a combination of personal and professional reasons," according to a university news release.

Nietzel said he will stay on as long as Dec. 31, 2010, giving the school time to conduct a national search for a replacement. He noted, however, that he would step down sooner if a replacement was ready to take the job.

"I also believe that by announcing this decision now, I can help the university be in a better position regarding its future, because it will be able to develop its next long-range plan under the direction of a new president who will be here to see that vision through, just as I was able to do when I came to MSU in 2005," Nietzel said in the release.

Nietzel, who does not have definite plans beyond the end of 2010, said he came to the decision in August that he would resign this year.

"At both the personal and professional levels, I want and need a change," Nietzel said. "The presidency of MSU is a very public, demanding and complex job. I have concluded that I cannot continue to do that job at a level of achievement that I want from myself and that the university has every right to expect from its president."

The Board of Governors is developing a search plan for Nietzel's successor. Nietzel's contract entitles him to a semester-long sabbatical at full pay or a year sabbatical at half-pay. He is also a tenured faculty member in the school's psychology department, though it's unclear if he will remain in that role.

Prior to joining MSU in 2005, Nietzel had spent 32 years at the University of Kentucky, including four years as provost.

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