Regents name Dallas County Judge Lee Jackson as UNT System chancellor finalist

The UNT System Board of Regents voted July 3 to name former Texas legislator and Dallas County Judge Lee Jackson as the sole finalist for the position of UNT System chancellor. If confirmed by the board later this month, Jackson will become the system's third chancellor.

The selection of Jackson completes a nationwide search begun in January of this year, following Alfred F. Hurley's announcement of plans to step down on Aug. 31. The announcement begins a minimum 21-day interim period required by law before the board votes to officially appoint Jackson to the position.

Jackson has served as Dallas County judge, the county's chief elected official, since 1987. As county judge, he has been responsible for regional advances in transportation and has been an advocate for advances in public education, juvenile justice, work force development, information technology, employee benefits and energy management.

"Judge Jackson's experience and high-profile leadership in the North Texas region are a perfect fit for our system, which is the only university system whose primary mission is to serve this region," says UNT System Board of Regents Chair Bobby Ray. "His experience in the Legislature, interest in education, and knowledge of regional, state and national issues will help to advance all components of our system, including the future UNT at Dallas."

The UNT Board of Regents selected Jackson from a diverse pool of candidates recommended by an advisory committee comprising students, faculty and staff of the system's component institutions and community representatives. The board served as the search selection committee. Korn/Ferry International, an executive search firm, aided both committees in the search process.

The board has not set a confirmation date.

Jackson is recognized as a regional leader in the area of transportation, having formed in 1991 the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition to help bring transportation funding to the area and oversee major transportation projects. He is the past chair of the Texas Conference of Urban Counties and is a member of the Regional Transportation Council and the Partners in Mobility Executive Board. Jackson was instrumental in the creation of the North Texas Tollway Authority in 1997.

Jackson represented Dallas County in the Texas House of Representatives from 1976 to 1986, where he chaired the Business and Commerce Committee and was a member of the Public Education Committee. He was named one of the Ten Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine in 1983. D Magazine named Jackson a Legislative All-Star in 1981 and Dallas' Best Public Official in 1996.

Jackson also received the North Central Texas Council of Governments' William J. Pitstick Regional Leadership Award in 2000, the Texas Department of Transportation's Russell Perry Award in 1999 and the North Texas Commission's TEAM Award in 1999.

The son of two North Texas alumni, Jackson was named an Honorary Alumnus in April in recognition of his help in establishing the UNT System Center at Dallas and the future UNT at Dallas.

He received his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Duke University and a master of public administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• UNT scientist says 1.75 million-year-old human fossils question theories of evolutionary sequence
• New video created to boost UNT spirit and pride
• New director of women's studies selected
• Postal rates up as of June 30
• UNT departments move to new locations
• Staff Council changes bylaws to include UNT System staff
• Pohl recognized as outstanding administrator
• UNT parking permits for 2002-03 now for sale through intercampus mail
• Faculty Senate meets for the last time during 2001-02 year
• First aid kit supplies for sale

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