UH vice president
is Stanford boundPR man Paul Costello leaves
with the logo debacle unresolved
Paul Costello, the University of Hawaii vice president for external affairs and university relations, is leaving for a job with the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Stanford University announced the hiring in a news release yesterday morning. Costello will become chief of communications and public affairs.
He starts at Stanford Jan. 7. Costello said he informed his staff yesterday of his new job. His last day at UH has not been set.
A temporary replacement will be named upon Costello's departure, the university said. A search to fill the position is expected to begin in the spring.
UH President Evan Dobelle recruited Costello for the position at UH shortly after Dobelle was hired in 2001.
Dobelle and Costello both worked in the White House during the administration of President Jimmy Carter.
In a news release, Dobelle said, "I feel very fortunate that UH has had his talents for the past two years."
Costello oversees all marketing, media and legislative efforts for the UH system. Costello formerly was managing director of Weber Shandwick, a New York public relations agency, and has held press jobs for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, former Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly and former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste.
He makes about $210,000 a year at UH. Costello had no comment on his salary at Stanford, which is a private university.
During his tenure, Costello directed efforts to create a new logo to better market the University of Hawaii.
The final designs created by a mainland firm under an $82,000 contract were rejected after widespread criticism from alumni and community members.
A subcommittee of the Board of Regents is working on a new design process.
Costello also developed two weekly television programs and a radio show that features UH experts and visiting scholars.
"I am proud of my tenure at the university and hope that I have made a difference in communicating the excellence that abounds throughout the UH system," Costello said.