Dr. Kim Goldenberg, the dean of Wright State University's medical school, was unanimously appointed president Thursday night by WSU's board of trustees. Citing the need for "strong, focused, fully empowered leadership," board Chairman Daniel Duval said trustees decided against appointing Goldenberg interim or acting president in favor of the full, decisive appointment.
Goldenberg, 51, was one of two finalists for WSU's top job in December 1993 when trustees chose Harley E. Flack as the school's fourth president, and thus "has been through the search process," Duval said. Following Flack's appointment, Goldenberg remained in his dean's position, which he had held since 1990.
Dr. Flack died March 29 following a five-month battle with cancer. WSU's provost and three vice presidents collectively performed the duties of president during Flack's illness, but Duval said it was time to move forward with new leadership "so that we can begin anew to thrive, grow and prosper."
The appointment took effect immediately. Goldenberg has not yet signed a contract with the board, but said he'll be paid $205,000 a year as president - identical to his current dean's salary. Dr. Flack had been earning about $182,000 a year. It is not unusual for medical school deans to earn more than the presidents of universities.
Rising to address the audience moments after the board's vote, Goldenberg's voice choked with emotion and he had to pause briefly as he spoke of the sadness surrounding Flack's death.
Responding to questions later, Goldenberg said he had "enormous respect for (Flack's) integrity and his values" and added he shared many of those same values.
WSU's fifth president also promised to strengthen and expand the community partnerships that Flack helped to forge and to cultivate WSU's research capabilities to enhance the school's role as an economic development engine for the Miami Valley.
James Sayer, president of WSU's faculty, said trustees "could not have selected a better individual to serve as the next president. Dr. Goldenberg is well-respected both inside and outside the university.
"I expect him to provide strong and definitive leadership to lead this university into the next century," Sayer said.
Goldenberg came to Wright State in 1983 as an assistant professor of medicine. He previously was a test engineer for NASA and an investigator studying breast cancer for the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society. He served as associate dean for students and curriculum from 1989-90, prior to his appointment as dean.
The medical school appears to have flourished under Goldenberg's guidance. In late 1997, the WSU Medical School received the prestigious Outstanding Community Service Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington. The award recognized WSU's innovative solutions to the mix of urban and rural health care problems in the Dayton area, some of which have become national models for community health, AAMC officials said.
The AAMC has ranked Wright State's medical school second among 125 medical schools nationwide in the percentage of its graduates entering primary-care practices. Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report spotlighted the WSU medical school's success in teaching cultural diversity to medical students.
KIM GOLDENBERG, M.D.
* Age: 51
* Birthplace: New York, N.Y.
* WSU connection: Joined the faculty of WSU's medical school in 1983 and became its fourth dean in 1990.
* Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook; master's in engineering from the Polytechnic University of New York; medical doctorate from Albany Medical College, New York.
* Early work: Before entering the medical profession, Goldenberg was a
senior engineer who managed aeronautical and bio-engineering projects for
Grumman, NASA and the U.S. Navy. His work included testing critical parts for
the Apollo lunar lander.
CONTACT Mark Fisher at 225-2258; or e-mail him at
mark_fisher@coxohio.com