Paul H. Thompson, an Ogden native and vice president at Brigham Young University, was named Friday as the new president of Weber State College.
Thompson, 51, was selected from a field of 83 candidates by the State Board of Regents."I'm honored to be here today," Thompson said at a news conference. "It's exciting to return to Weber State."
Thompson is vice president of development and university relations at BYU. He will become Weber State's 10th president.
Thompson replaces former president Stephen D. Nadauld, who resigned earlier this year to work at Bonneville Pacific Corp.
A 21-member committee reviewed about 100 applicants during the nationwide search. The regents then interviewed six finalists before selecting Thompson.
"Not only Weber State but also the entire greater Ogden community should benefit greatly through this appointment," said Regents Chairman Douglas S. Foxley. "The regents feel very fortunate to have attracted him (Thompson) to assume the presidency of this outstanding and dynamic institution.
"Thompson brings a truly distinguished career of scholarship, teaching, academic administration and fund raising to the presidency of Weber State College," the chairman added.
Prior to his position as vice president, Thompson was the dean of the BYU Marriott School of Management. He also taught for 11 years at the Provo campus.
He attended Weber State, then went on to earn his bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Utah. Thompson earned both his master's and doctorate degrees in business administration at Harvard University.
His wife, Carolyn Nelson Thompson, also attended WSC. The couple has five daughters and a son.