Vice president for administration and financial services to retire

It is with mixed feelings that I announce the retirement of Tom Schellhardt, vice president for administration and financial services for the past nine years, effective August 31.

Though we are saddened to see the departure of a valued member of our Cabinet, who has made a lasting impact on this university and the UNI family, we are happy Tom will have more time to enjoy his family -- his wife, Carolyn, his children and grandchildren.  His leadership and counsel will be missed.

Besides handling very difficult budgetary challenges, Tom oversaw the strategic renovation of key campus buildings, including the Innovative Teaching and Technology Center, Begeman Hall and Sabin Hall -- and the completion of four transformative buildings -- the McLeod Center, the Richard O. Jacobson Human Performance Center, the Business and Community Services Building, and the Multimodal Transportation Center.

Tom also set the course for establishing our sustainability program and hired our first sustainability coordinator. And under his leadership, Panther athletics have gained consistent national success.

The Vice President for Administration and Financial Services oversees the university's finance, budget, business operations, event management, human resource services, intercollegiate athletics, facilities services, public safety and environmental safety operations.

Plans for interim leadership in the Administration and Financial Services Division and a search committee will be announced at a later date.