Reader applauds Regents for UI hire

To the editor:

I applaud the Board of Regent's selection of Bruce Harreld as University of Iowa president. The university is, in fact, in the business of education. Most of the issues surrounding education in Iowa are financial, so who better to solve those than a president with business experience?

How many times has the administration spent months forming committees and wasting resources only to hire expensive consultants? Harreld knows that if you did that in the real world, you'd get run out of town.

In the educational world, if a 'traditional” president like Sally Mason damages the university's image because of her media gaffes and a lack of PR skills, she can hide behind her 'rebuilding after the flood” legacy and enjoy a lifetime pension. In the business world she would be labeled a media liability.

In the educational world, if AD Gary Barta costs the university millions of dollars in bad contracts, lost ticket revenue and litigious settlements, he is given a vote of confidence. In the business world, he would be sacked faster than groceries.

In the educational world, Kirk Ferentz can keep cashing checks because he turns out an NFL lineman every season or two. In the business world, his salary would decrease as a result of declining results.

Harreld knows that real problems are solved by actions. He understands that financial success fuels growth. He knows the value of branding, marketing and how to use the media. And he probably knows that offensive lineman don't score touchdowns.

Brian Campbell

Iowa City