Brad Cowgill selected as interim CPE head.

CPE made a great choice for interim president. Brad Cowgill is smart, ethical, respected and hard-working. He will be a solid steward of CPE. He cares deeply about education in the state and will be a strong advocate for our students.

Congratulations Brad !

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LEBANON, Ky. -- State Budget Director Brad Cowgill was selected last night as interim president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, effective Sept. 1.

A three-member committee of the council made the unanimous decision after a two-hour, closed-door meeting with Cowgill, a Lexington lawyer.

He's the council's choice, and he's before us neither as a representative of one party or the other," said committee member Walter Baker of Glasgow.

Referring to Cowgill's knowledge of the state budget, Baker said: "He's before us as a person who will be a very talented and effective leader in the task that we face in the next eight or nine months."

The council will be preparing its recommendations for higher education funding during the upcoming state budget process. It oversees the state's eight public universities and 16 community and technical colleges, including guiding the legislature on higher education funding...

...Turner said the council would reopen its search for a permanent replacement early next year.
Both the committee and Cowgill are leaving the door open for Cowgill to become the permanent president, but both sides also say his interim status does not make him a shoo-in for the job.

In fact, Cowgill said he told the committee members he shouldn't be considered for the interim position if it meant he had to assure them he wants the permanent job.

Cowgill said the interim position was attractive because he could see "how I like it, whether I can be effective, whether I can carry the ball down the field effectively for higher education in Kentucky."

Gov. Ernie Fletcher sent a letter to Turner expressing his support of Cowgill's consideration by the committee.

"Brad enjoys the respect of many legislators and has demonstrated a passion for higher education," Fletcher wrote.

Fletcher called Cowgill one of his closest advisers and said he viewed the opportunity for Cowgill with mixed emotions.

This from the Courier-Journal.

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