Harvard Dean Announced as BYU–Idaho President

President Gordon B. Hinckley announced on June 6 that Dr. Kim B. Clark, dean of the Harvard Business School, would become the next president of Brigham Young University–Idaho.

During the announcement broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, President Hinckley said that Brother Clark is a man of tremendous talent and great accomplishment who would carry the institution to new heights.

President Hinckley said: “Dr. Clark is one who leads by example. … He is a man of tremendous integrity who is deeply respected and admired. He is inclusive in his leadership and believes strongly in developing those around him and creating new opportunities for them to grow and succeed.”

Addressing BYU–Idaho students, faculty, and staff via satellite from Harvard’s campus in Boston, Massachusetts, Brother Clark said BYU–Idaho is at an important point in its history.

The school “must have a great spirit of innovation about it,” he said.

“But it also must build on its legacy and hold onto the things that ought to endure.”

Since 1995, Brother Clark has served as dean of the faculty at Harvard Business School. He received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in economics from Harvard and has been a Harvard faculty member since 1978. He said leaving would not be easy: “Part of me looks at what lies ahead with some degree of sadness because I have to leave a school that I love.” However, “for someone who loves education, this is a wonderful and great opportunity.”

Immediately after the broadcast, Brother Clark and his wife, Sue, left Boston to fly to Rexburg, Idaho, to address students at a devotional on Tuesday, June 7, 2005.

Brother Clark planned to remain as the dean of Harvard Business School until July 31, 2005, assuming his new responsibilities at BYU–Idaho shortly thereafter. Brother Clark succeeds Robert M. Wilkes, who was appointed interim president in December 2004 after BYU–Idaho president David A. Bednar was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dr. Kim B. Clark, former dean of the Harvard Business School, has been named the new president of BYU–Idaho.