New president on campus

Southwest Missouri State University named its ninth president in a March 4 campus ceremony. Michael Nietzel, currently provost at University of Kentucky in Lexington, will take over for outgoing President John Keiser.
Nietzel was chosen from a group of three finalists presented to the SMSU Board of Governors at its Jan. 21 meeting. The president-elect, in his remarks at the ceremony, called the event “a good way to spend a Friday.”
“Ultimately (taking the job) was not a hard decision,” Nietzel added. “It was a hard decision to communicate to my colleagues in Lexington, but it was not a hard decision to make. It’s a great opportunity.”
Nietzel’s four-year contract pays him $240,000 the first year, with a $100,000 incentive if he stays on for four years. Keiser, who is retiring June 30, will receive his full base pay of $162,000 as president emeritus during Nietzel’s first year.
Nietzel, who was at UK for 32 years, plans to teach psychology in his second semester on campus.