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Allard next chancellor of CSU system?

Bill Jackson
Greeley correspondent
Aspen, CO Colorado
Sen. Wayne Allard is being considered as the next chancellor for the Colorado State University system.
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Wayne Allard may not be out of work for very long.

Allard, who has served the past 12 years as a U.S. Senator, is being considered as the next chancellor for the Colorado State University system, according to sources. In that position, he would oversee the campuses at Fort Collins as well as Colorado State University at Pueblo.

The position came open when Larry Penley abruptly resigned as chancellor and president Nov. 5, a year and a half before his contract expired.



Allard, in a telephone interview from Washington Tuesday, said he talked with Doug Jones, chairman of the Board of Governors of the CSU system, when the rumors began to circulate that he is being considered for the chancellor position. Allard said it’s his belief that the board, in talking with experts on university systems, may be thinking of re-organizing the management of CSU. That would involve naming a chancellor, and individual presidents at the two universities, but Allard said he doesn’t have any details concerning that direction.

“As I understand it, the chancellor would be a position of oversight and outreach, to make sure Fort Collins and Pueblo are working as a team,” Allard said. Allard, as well as his wife, Joan, are 1968 graduates of CSU, he with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and she with a degree in microbiology. They met while attending CSU; Allard is the third generation of his family to graduate from the Fort Collins school.




The possible appointment has precedent. Hank Brown, when he retired from the Senate ” and was replaced by Allard ” became president of the University of Northern Colorado then took the same position at the University of Colorado.

“I would consider the position seriously if offered,” Allard said, adding that he has been looking at several options pending his retirement from the U.S. Senate.

“This came as a surprise. Apparently, I’ve had some supporters working on this and really didn’t know it was happening until recently. Naturally, I’m pleased,” Allard said.

One of those supporters is State Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, a former staff member of Allard and himself a CSU graduate.

“I heard Allard is being considered by the board as of (Monday). I think he would be an excellent choice. No one knows Colorado like Wayne and no one knows CSU like Wayne and Joan,” Gardner said.

Another of those supporters is Dick Monfort of Greeley. The Monfort family has strong connections with CSU, in particular with the College of Agricultural Sciences.

“I had a guy bring that (Allard) up to me and happen to think it’s a great idea. I was a little embarrassed that I hadn’t thought about it myself,” Monfort said. “If asked, I would certainly support him.”

bjackson@greeleytribune.com