McClain gets high marks
in UH evaluation

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents gave a glowing review to interim UH President David McClain's performance during the past year.

"He has demonstrated tremendous leadership, integrity and the ability to move the University of Hawaii forward over the past year, despite many challenges," board Chairwoman Kitty Lagareta said in a news release yesterday.

The regents independently evaluated McClain beginning in June on criteria such as leadership, relations with others, planning, decisiveness, problem-solving and analysis abilities, and organizational abilities.

The regents were unanimous in giving him top marks. McClain was given a verbal assessment in executive session at a meeting earlier this week.

McClain said he was "gratified" for the positive review and that he looks forward to "continuing to work with the board to execute our strategic plan for the benefit of our students and the communities we serve."

McClain became interim president in June of last year after the board fired former President Evan Dobelle after a negative second- and third-year review.

The firing was later rescinded, and Dobelle resigned after receiving a $1 million settlement plus payment of his attorney fees and a two-year faculty research position.

The board appointed McClain to a two-year contract as interim president in August.

McClain had been vice president of academic affairs in the Dobelle administration. He had also served as dean of the College of Business at UH-Manoa. He joined the faculty in 1991 as a professor of business and economics.

The regents have started a search for a permanent UH president and are in the process of hiring a search consultant.

McClain has not taken himself out of the running for the permanent job.