The Colorado State Board of Governors’ office named Joe Blake as finalist for the position of chancellor for the Colorado State University System.
As chancellor, Blake will have the role of representing CSU-Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo and CSU Global, Michele McKinney, spokeswoman for the board of governors said.
In a press release, Mc Kinney said the chancellor will be a major source gather for the campuses. Other tasks Blake is charged with as chancellor include being the voice of the CSU System, meeting with government and civic leaders, alumni and donors, diligently fundraising and re-establishing support for higher education in Colorado.
Blake said he was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work with leaders at each campus to help enhance the quality of the system.
“There is an impressive team on the campuses and by working together we can create an even more successful and brighter future for student, faculty and staff, as well as for the citizens of Colorado,” Blake said.
As chancellor, Blake will work with the university presidents to develop the operating budgets and report directly to the Colorado State Board of Governors.
Blake is a Colorado native, graduating East High School, Denver. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature at Dartmouth College and a law degree at the University of Colorado.
Blake has been an aide to U. S. Sen. Gordon Allott, an FBI agent and regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Blake was also chairman for the Colorado Transportation Commission, according to The Pueblo Chieftain.
When CSU System President Larry Penley resigned in November 2008, the search for a replacement began.
However, in a statement released by the board of governors, they stated a unanimous decision in December 2008 determined it was in the best interest of the CSU System if two positions were created out of one. Blake will take on the role as CSU System chancellor, while the search continues for a president for CSU-Ft. Collins.
The board started by consulting with stake holders and committee members to work on desired attributes, as well as looking into the national universities organizational models. The CSU System requires a leader who can embrace the future for the universities and that can promote CSU’s many contributions to the state of Colorado, Marguerite Salazar, one of the co-chairs of the search committee said.
Initially Blake’s appointment to the position fell under scrutiny as The Pueblo Chieftain, Fort Collins Coloradoan, and the Colorado Independent filed a law suit. The three newspapers all reported the lawsuit was not a request to overturn Blake’s selection, but was due to the possible violation of the Colorado Sunshine Laws.
Joe Blake’s interview on May 5 took place in an executive session, causing a stir about the privacy, not the validity of the selection. The board of governors released the tapes May 19. To hear the interview go to csusystem.edu/chancellorsearch/exec-session-may5.asp
