The Idaho State Board of Education announced recently that M. Duane Nellis will serve as the 17th president of the University of Idaho.

A 1972 graduate of Libby High School, Nellis will begin his appointment as president on July 1.  He is the son of longtime Libby residents, the late Marvin and Sophie Nellis.

An internationally recognized and distinguished geographer, Nellis has served as Kansas State University’s provost and senior vice president since 2004. He previously served seven years as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University. He also spent 17 years at Kansas State, progressing from assistant professor of geography to professor and head of the department, and then to senior associate dean of Kansas State’s College of Arts and Sciences.

“University of Idaho alumni worldwide are excited to welcome Dr. Duane Nellis to the University of Idaho,” said  UI Alumni Director Steve Johnson. “Throughout the presidential search process, alumni were remarkably impressed with Dr. Nellis and believe he is the proven leader needed to guide the state’s flagship university and enhance the university’s Legacy of Leading heritage.”

Nellis was born in Spokane, Wash., and after graduating from LHS, he met and married his wife, Ruthie, while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in earth sciences/geography at Montana State University. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in geography at Oregon State University.