UM’s Hoff not chosen for Nebraska post

LINCOLN, Neb. – A native of Fremont and a University of Nebraska graduate was named Saturday as the next president of the four-campus system.

J.B. Milliken, 47, was the choice of the Board of Regents to become the seventh president of the University of Nebraska. His selection, widely anticipated after two of three other finalists dropped out, capped a tumultuous week.

Milliken, a University of North Carolina senior vice president, was selected over Peter Hoff, president of the University of Maine.

Milliken will take over for retiring President L. Dennis Smith, who has led the university since 1994. Milliken’s first day on the job will be Aug. 1.

The board met for just minutes Saturday before announcing its decision. On Tuesday, it took them seven hours to determine they wanted another interview with Milliken and Adm. James Ellis, Jr., commander of the U.S. Strategic Command.

The next day, Ellis withdrew without stating a reason. Finalist Kim Robak backed out Thursday, saying she did not think she had the support of the entire board.