Northern Michigan University Appoints Interim President
MARQUETTE, MI – The Northern Michigan University (NMU) Board of Trustees has appointed Gavin Leach as interim president, effective May 2. A NMU alumnus with a 36-year tenure at the institution, Leach transitions from his role as vice president for finance and administration, a position he has held for 18 years.
Leach steps in following the departure of President Brock Tessman, who is set to become the president of Montana State University after announcing his resignation on April 7. NMU Board Chairman Steve Young expressed appreciation for Tessman’s contributions and emphasized the need for a new direction, marking the appointment of Leach as an important first step.
As part of the transition, the university will establish a presidential search advisory committee. A listening session is scheduled for May 6, from 1-3 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall, encouraging feedback from the campus community on the search process. This session will be facilitated by Laurie Wilder, president of Parker Executive Search, the firm hired to assist in finding the new president.
In his first statement as interim president, Leach expressed his honor and humility at being appointed. “I would have never dreamed that I would have this opportunity… however, I had wonderful faculty and a great education that created a solid foundation for my career," he stated. Leach has deep ties to NMU; his family features multiple alumni, and he recalls significant personal milestones related to the university.
Throughout his career, Leach has been instrumental in overseeing NMU’s $200 million operating budget and managing over $300 million in construction projects. He also co-led initiatives to eliminate substantial financial liabilities for Michigan universities, underlining his commitment to the institution and its community.
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