MISSOULA – University of Montana President George Dennison announced Monday that he will retire in August after 20 years at the Missoula school.
During a speech outlining some budget cutting proposals, Dennison said he has informed the commissioner of higher education and the state Board of Regents that he will step down on Aug. 15, or as soon thereafter as the regents can name a successor.
“I consider it a high honor and rare privilege to have served as president of a wonderful institution — made so by the people who constitute it,” the 74-year-old Dennison said. “I have enjoyed the past 20 years more than words can convey, in large measure because of the quality of people who constitute the University of Montana.”
Dennison said he originally planned to announce his resignation last September, but was asked to stay until Montana State University could hire a new president. MSU President Geoff Gamble announced his retirement last March and new President Waded Cruzado took over earlier this month.
A search for a new UM president will begin in the next few weeks.
“I will do all I can to assist but intend to stay out of the way,” said Dennison, as he wrapped up a speech about proposed budget cuts.
He suggested the school raise money with tuition increases and requiring students to pay full tuition if they’re taking nine credits or more, rather than the current 12. He also suggested cutting costs by leaving some job vacancies open, reducing overtime, implementing a four-day work week for some employees, reducing nonessential travel and taking energy saving steps.
Bruce Crippen, a Billings attorney who served in the Montana Legislature and was a UM Foundation board member, told the Missoulian newspaper that the university fared well under Dennison’s leadership.
“The proof is in the pudding, and you can walk around campus and see what he has done since he’s been president,” he said. “It’s remarkable.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus described Dennison’s accomplishments as “fantastic.”
“The improvements made to the UM campus during his tenure as the school’s longest-serving president are too many to name, but it is clear that his vision and legacy will not soon be forgotten,” Baucus said.
In his retirement, Dennison said he intends to write a history of the University of Montana and will consider teaching opportunities as they arise.
He received a bachelor’s degree from UM in 1962, a master’s in 1963 and a doctorate in history from the University of Washington in 1967. Dennison came to UM from Western Michigan University, where he served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1987-1990. He spent the previous 18 years at Colorado State University, where he was a history professor and served in several administrative positions.