Pacific NorthWest University Needs A New Leader

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Story Published: Dec 17, 2009 at 6:39 PM PDT

By Melissa Wagner

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Yakima - Three leaders in four years. Pacific Northwest University is looking for another new President. There's been some speculation about turmoil at the school. So we went after the answers to the questions you've been asking.

"If we're lucky, by the end of this next year, we'll have a new president," said Lloyd Butler, Acting President.

That will be the fourth president for this fledging school. PNWU is the first osteopathic college to start up in this area in the last 60 years. And it will be a real feather in Yakima's cap once the first graduating class leaves in 2012 and the school receives full accreditation.

But some are questioning the prognosis for this school given how quickly it goes through presidents.
"We need someone who can lead the school to final accreditation," said Karen Hyatt, PNWU Board Chairman.

Dr. Stan Flemming unexpectedly resigned last month. Flemming and the school are still ironing out his contract and what the school owes him. PNWU could end up paying two president's salaries at a time when state funding for education is at an all time low. But Hyatt said that's not an issue, " I don't think we can let that have an effect. "

Former board member, Lloyd Butler stepped in as acting president but isn't being paid. He's now asking for compensation, " I can guarantee you if the board chooses to reimburse me for my work it will be at a far lower level than what you'd expect to pay a university president."

Still, the school will have pay tens of thousands to search for its next leader. And pay close attention that the changes at the top don't affect students already midway through their degrees. Right now, the goal is to stay the course, while searching for a president who can lead the school into a more stable future.

The school applied for nearly half a million in state money. Both houses approved, now it's up to a budget wary Governor to sign off on it. If that falls through, the school will rely on private donors to step up.

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