Meet UM Presidential Candidate Andy Feinstein From San Jose State

The second candidate in the search for a new president of the University of Montana appeared before a packed house in the University Center Theater on Wednesday, Andrew (Andy) Feinstein.

Feinstein is currently the provost and senior vice president at San Jose State University in California. Feinstein began by talking about UM students.

“Much like San Jose State University, a third of the students are the first in their family to go to college,” Feinstein said. “You also have diversity, not like at San Jose State, but more socio-economic diversity. You have a growing number of Hispanic and also Native American students, and that diversity is of great interest to me.”

Feinstein focused on the successful research being conducted at UM, with even more funding raised here than in San Jose State.

“You’re generating about $90 million in research here, and that’s almost doubled in the last four years,” he said. “For a campus that’s had challenges with the budget, that’s a remarkable achievement, and it’s vitally important that that continues to grow.”

Feinstein spoke of UM’s athletic program, and expressed condolences for the loss of Grizzly quarterback Reese Phillips to a leg injury, and looked forward to seeing the Grizzlies play Eastern Washington on Saturday.

He also touched on the sensitive topics of sexual abuse and the rapidly evolving issue of Title IX.

Feinstein then took questions from the audience for over an hour.

The next candidate to visit will be Seth Bodner, who will come to campus on Friday, September 22. The final candidate will be Charles (Chuck) Ambrose on Monday, September 25.