Harvard Dean Announced as New BYU—Idaho President By Walter Cooley, Church Magazines President Gordon B. Hinckley announced Monday morning that Dr. Kim B. Clark, dean of the Harvard Business School, will 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 inflection point in its history. "This point of inflection means that the university must do many, many things," Brother Clark said. "It must have a great spirit of innovation about it. But it also must build on its legacy and hold on to the things that ought to endure. I love that kind of work. That’s the kind of work that I have been doing at the Harvard Business School for the last 10 years. I look forward to doing that kind of work at BYU—Idaho." 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," Brother Clark said. However, Brother Clark said becoming president of BYU—Idaho is a wonderful opportunity. He listed three reasons he is excited to accept his new assignment. First, Brother Clark said he believes in BYU—Idaho's mission. "I believe that BYU—Idaho has a great mission to educate young people with strong values who bring character and competence to their families, to their communities, and to the world." Second, Brother Clark said BYU—Idaho has a strong commitment to student-centered learning. "I believe very strongly in the importance of great teaching and great learning," he said. Finally, Brother Clark said he wants to help make BYU—Idaho the very best it can be during the university's inflection point. "For someone who loves education, this is a wonderful and great opportunity," Brother Clark said. 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 will remain the dean of Harvard Business School until July 31, 2005. He will shortly thereafter assume responsibilities at BYU—Idaho. 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.