Walking the Talk

From the Iowa Gazette:

Wallace Loh Incoming University of Iowa provost

New provost, wife, commit to University of Iowa Scholarship Gifts



IOWA CITY -- New University of Iowa Provost Wallace Loh isn't on the job yet, but he and his wife, Barbara, have committed to fund five full-tuition scholarships for Iowa residents for the next four years.

Loh, 63, said Monday the need-based scholarships for UI students are part of his desire to give back to the state he credits with starting him on the right path.

Loh lived in Iowa for four years after immigrating to the United States to attend college. "I hope this will be the first installment" of many, he said.

UI officials said the total value of the gift is unknown because tuition will change over four years. UI tuition and fees next year is $6,524 for resident students.

Wearing a UI pin on his lapel and sporting a striped, black and gold tie, Loh said he is honored, thrilled and humbled to join the UI, which he called one of the country's great research universities.

"Iowa sets the gold standard," he said.

Mason said five finalists who interviewed for the provost job had an impressive variety of backgrounds and accomplishments but she "can't imagine that we could have found a more capable and engaging person to fill this than Dr. Wallace Loh."

"He impressed us with much more than his resume," Mason said. "Wallace Loh had that something extra."

Mason said she expects Loh will help the UI continue to extend its global reach and promote diversity and public engagement. She said Loh has a genuine commitment to the state of Iowa while bringing strong national and international perspectives.

Loh succeeds Mike Hogan, who left in September for the University of Connecticut presidency. Loh, dean of the college of arts and sciences and a professor of public service and psychology at Seattle University since 1999, will earn $350,000 a year.

Born in China and raised in Peru, Loh speaks Spanish, Chinese and French in addition to English. He has a doctorate in psychology from the University of Michigan and a degree from Yale Law School.