New Pitt Chancellor (elect): Joan T.A. Gabel (U Minn President)

[CrazyPaco]

About Interim President Ettinger

Jeff Ettinger is the interim president of the University of Minnesota. He leads the University’s mission by honoring its legacy as a place of discovery and opportunity, while emphasizing solutions inspired by Minnesotans that serve our state and change the world.

president.umn.edu

Pitt Press Release:
https://www.pitt.edu/pittwire/featu...versity-of-pittsburgh-chancellor-announcement

 

[HailToPitt725]

Official statement from the Pitt Twitter:

 

[CrazyPaco]

Very interesting to "poach" a sitting President of a major, highly ranked research university system with major athletics. Very much a peer type of university. Very different than the last two hires (internal dean of the Law School and, from federal government, head of NIST).

At the presser, she stated she was a Pitt mom, so it sounds like one of her kids is going or went to Pitt.

Seems to have faced many of the issues Pitt has, including unionization. It is a school that has similar issues in being a urban university. Had a bit of controversy recently with membership on an outside corporate board from which she eventually resigned.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

What’s the scoop? Is it a good or bad hire for athletics and academics?

 

[CrazyPaco]

What’s the scoop? Is it a good or bad hire for athletics and academics?

I think it is a surprising hire; to get a sitting head of a major research institution. From the outside, it appears as a curious lateral move; but she might have wanted a change of scenery with recent controversies.

I think we'll need to hear how some Gophers think.
This is promissing on the surface: https://www.twincitiesdunkers.com/Joan-Gabel

I'm sure it will warm up the engines of some on-campus stadium conspiracy theories, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

She helped finish off a $4 billion fundraising campaign. Pitt hasn't had a public capital campaign since Nordenburg. This is probably definitely coming.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

What’s the scoop? Is it a good or bad hire for athletics and academics?

It’s an interesting hire, as Paco said. Best way to find out the answer to the question is by finding out how Minnesota is reacting to this news.

 

[CrazyPaco]

It’s an interesting hire, as Paco said. Best way to find out the answer to the question is by finding out how Minnesota is reacting to this news.

When she was hired at Minnesota in 2018, they gave her a 5-year contract. Could be that she wanted a change, or that she was told they weren't going to renew her. Impossible to know. Two abstentions of vote were noted on the Pitt board. I don't know who they were. All the rest were unanimous (as one would expect).

 

[HailToPitt725]

What’s the scoop? Is it a good or bad hire for athletics and academics?

The only thing I could find is that three men's athletic programs were cut under her watch (during Covid, mind you) and she made the decision to no longer contract the Minneapolis Police Department for large campus events (football) following the murder of George Floyd. Aside from that, didn't make any AD changes (current one was there before her arrival) and there were a few athletic facilities that received upgrades under her watch; a much larger athletic village master plan had already been planned and implemented under their previous administration. I'd give her a neutral grade on athletics.

 

[pittchagg]

When she was hired at Minnesota in 2018, they gave her a 5-year contract. Could be she wanted a change, or that she was told they weren't going to renew her. Impossible to know. Two abstention of vote were noted on the Pitt board. I don't know who they were. All the rest were unanimous (as one would expect).

They extended her contract in 2021 for an additional five years.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Press conference:

 

[CrazyPaco]

They extended her contract in 2021 for an additional five years.

Thanks for that!

 

[CrazyPaco]

Minnesota message board thread: https://gopherhole.com/boards/threa...f-the-of-the-university-of-pittsburgh.110494/

 

[pittchagg]

Gallagher said he’s “relieved” that the search ended with her, that she’s “the real deal,” and that “Pittsburgh is going to love the Gabels.”

 

[pittchagg]

Here’s a paywalled thread from Minnesota. https://247sports.com/college/minne...entered-the-transfer-portal-207775101/?page=1

 

[HailtoPitt]

This can only mean one thing.... new on campus stadium of course!

 

[pittchagg]

Gabel confirmed that her son is a current Pitt student - “full out of state tuition, ladies and gentlemen!”

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Gallagher said he’s “relieved” that the search ended with her, that she’s “the real deal,” and that “Pittsburgh is going to love the Gabels.”

Goebbels???

 

[pittdan77]

Greg Flugaur will report that this is hinting at something big for Pitt in his next round of conference realignment triangulation.

 

[pittchagg]

Greg Flugaur will report that this is hinting at something big for Pitt in his next round of conference realignment triangulation.

I can already tell you the details of the report: “it’s good for the Big Ten! The Big Ten is playing eight-dimensional chess!”

 

[CrazyPaco]

Gabel confirmed that her son is a current Pitt student - “full out of state tuition, ladies and gentlemen!”

Seems like her son is a lights out portal recruiter. Get him on Narduzzi's staff

 

[CrazyPaco]

How parallel of a move is this? Remarkably similar schools by rankings.

Institutional Profile
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Established.......................1851......1787
Campuses .............................5..........4^
AAU......................................Yes........Yes
Students........................50,943.....33,861
Undergrads (main).......30,560....19,980
Post and grad................15,488.......9,191
Employees......................24,336.....14,234
Student/Faculty ratio.......16:1.........13:1
Main campus acres........2,730.........150

^Pitt-Titusville not included

Admissions (undergrad at main campus)
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Retention.........................90%........93%
6-year grad rate...............84%.......84%
% applicants admitted....75%.......49%
% admits matriculated...24%.......23%
SAT 50th percentile.........1378.....1370
ACT 50th percentile...........29..........31
Top 10th in HS class.........41%.......56%
Out of State students......25%......36%
First years on campus.......80%.....96%

Academic Rankings
................................Minnesota......Pitt
US News Rank.......62nd................62nd
US News Public.....23rd................23rd
NSF R&D Rank.......22nd................18th
NIH rank..................19th..................3rd
Endowment rank...27th................26th
ARWU rank.............44th................82nd
THE rank.................101st...............144th
QS rank....................185th..............181st

Athletic Director's Cup
Total varsity sports....21....................19
NACDA Cup 2022.......28th...............73rd

Football
..........................................Minnesota.......Pitt
Total Claimed MNC............7......................9
All time wins......................26th................19th
Total bowl wins...................11.....................15
Total Consensus AAs........34....................55
Total Heismans....................1.......................1
Total Pro HOF......................7......................10
Total AP Polls (rank)..........52nd...............27th
Last AP Poll Final.............2019 (10).......2023 (22)

Basketball
................................Minnesota...............Pitt
Helms MNCs.......................2....................2
NCAA Championships......0....................0
Final Fours...........................1*....................1
Elite Eights..........................2*...................3
Sweet 16s............................4*...................7
NCAA Appearances.........14*.................27
Total AP Polls (rank)........42nd..............39th
Last NCAA appearance..2019..............2023

*includes vacated

 

[HailtoPitt]

I don't know if it's a good or bad hire, but I do think this is an odd hire. Leaving the U of Minn to come to Pitt? This is very mich a lateral move to a school with fewer students and a more challenging political climate.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

How parallel of a move is this? Remarkably similar schools by rankings.

Institutional Profile
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Established.......................1851......1787
Campuses .............................5..........4^
AAU......................................Yes........Yes
Students........................50,943.....33,861
Undergrads (main).......30,560....19,980
Post and grad................15,488.......9,191
Employees......................24,336.....14,234
Student/Faculty ratio.......16:1.........13:1
Main campus acres........2,730.........150

^Pitt-Titusville not included

Admissions (undergrad at main campus)
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Retention.........................90%........93%
6-year grad rate...............84%.......84%
% applicants admitted....75%.......49%
% admits matriculated...24%.......23%
SAT 50th percentile.........1378.....1370
ACT 50th percentile...........29..........31
Top 10th in HS class.........41%.......56%
Out of State students......25%......36%
First years on campus.......80%.....96%

Academic Rankings
................................Minnesota......Pitt
US News Rank.......62nd................62nd
US News Public.....23rd................23rd
NSF R&D Rank.......22nd................18th
NIH rank..................19th..................3rd
Endowment rank...27th................26th
ARWU rank.............44th................82nd
THE rank.................101st...............144th
QS rank....................185th..............181st

Athletic Director's Cup
Total varsity sports....21....................19
NACDA Cup 2022.......28th...............73rd

Football
..........................................Minnesota.......Pitt
Total Claimed MNC............7......................9
All time wins......................26th................19th
Total bowl wins...................11.....................15
Total Consensus AAs........34....................55
Total Heismans....................1.......................1
Total Pro HOF......................7......................10
Total AP Polls (rank)..........52nd...............27th
Last AP Poll Final.............2019 (10).......2023 (22)

Basketball
................................Minnesota...............Pitt
Helms MNCs.......................2....................2
NCAA Championships......0....................0
Final Fours...........................1*....................1
Elite Eights..........................2*...................3
Sweet 16s............................4*...................7
NCAA Appearances.........14*.................27
Total AP Polls (rank)........42nd..............39th
Last NCAA appearance..2019..............2023


*includes vacated

I always said that Minnesota is our doppleganger (along with Ga Tech) save they don't have any real competition for 200 miles around them.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I don't know if it's a good or bad hire, but I do think this is an odd hire. Leaving the U of Minn to come to Pitt? This is very mich a lateral move to a school with fewer students and a more challenging political climate.

Why?
Her son attends Pitt and it is closer to where she grew up. Maybe she likes the city of Pittsburgh better.

 

[Las Panteras]

So UMinn is an urban school with 2700 acres

And a new stadium

UPITT similarly, is an urban campus with 150 acres

And a no longer new stadium they lease downtown.

Can we please kill the on campus dream before it even starts?

 

[CrazyPaco]

I don't know if it's a good or bad hire, but I do think this is an odd hire. Leaving the U of Minn to come to Pitt? This is very mich a lateral move to a school with fewer students and a more challenging political climate.

On the surface, her experience makes it a no-brainer. You aren't going to get many interested in a lateral move, so to get that type of experience for a similar type of institution is, on paper, a great get.

Student number doesn't really mean much. Prestige in academia certainly doesn't rely on the size of enrollment at a school. Pitt and Minnesota are both major research institutions of general similar regard. Pitt certainly takes no back seat to Minn, institutionally.

And we don't have any idea of the internal issues she may have had to deal with at Minnesota and in Minneapolis. Her press conference seemed to emphasize the leadership and governance at Pitt. She seemed to have an existing relationship with Gallagher. I'm sure they've talked about the issues and obstacles at both schools, and it could be she thought there was just a better internal environment to get things done at Pitt. We can't really know for sure. Things aren't always as they seem on the surface.

 

[cruzer]

Why?
Her son attends Pitt and it is closer to where she grew up. Maybe she likes the city of Pittsburgh better.

Could be one of the first executives ever recruited to Pittsburgh who came because of better weather.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Could be one of the first executives ever recruited to Pittsburgh who came because of better weather.

LOL, that is funny... I've always found Minneapolis, otherwise, to be a pretty nice city.

 

[Saboteur II]

Goebbels???

There are few more sadistic people than this clown. He shot himself 12 years too late.
Get his photo off this thread please

 

[HailtoPitt]

On the surface, her experience makes it a no-brainer. You aren't going to get many interested in a lateral move, so to get that type of experience for a similar type of institution is, on paper, a great get.

Student number doesn't really mean much. Prestige in academia certainly doesn't rely on the size of enrollment at a school. Pitt and Minnesota are both major research institutions of general similar regard. Pitt certainly takes no back seat to Minn, institutionally.

And we don't have any idea of the internal issues she may have had to deal with at Minnesota and in Minneapolis. Her press conference seemed to emphasize the leadership and governance at Pitt. She seemed to have an existing relationship with Gallagher. I'm sure they've talked about the issues and obstacles at both schools, and it could be she thought there was just a better internal environment to get things done at Pitt. We can't really know for sure. Things aren't always as they seem on the surface.

I did some quick checking. She had to resign as a paid Board member for a local financial company, likely becaue the UM BoT thought there was a conflict of interest. So my guess is that there are some hard feelings there between her and the current BoT.

 

[HailtoPitt]

There are few more sadistic people than this clown. He shot himself 12 years too late.
Get his photo off this thread please

I agree. No need to post a photo of a murdering madman in this thread.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

So UMinn is an urban school with 2700 acres

And a new stadium

UPITT similarly, is an urban campus with 150 acres

And a no longer new stadium they lease downtown.

Can we please kill the on campus dream before it even starts?

Was probably pretty easy to find a place to build a stadium on 2700 acres.

 

[CrazyPaco]

I did some quick checking. She had to resign as a paid Board member for a local financial company, likely becaue the UM BoT thought there was a conflict of interest. So my guess is that there are some hard feelings there between her and the current BoT.

She addressed that in her press conference. It was written into her contract and cleared by the school prior to her joining that board, but it became a story with a life of its own, as things sometimes do, so she resigned to "avoid the distraction." Could have played a role. May not have.

See the link to the presser above. Certainly possible she didn't like dealing with the board there.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Was probably pretty easy to find a place to build a stadium on 2700 acres.

Pitt owns 4,700 acres in Wyoming. Can always build there, but student section busing may be an issue.

 

[Burgh15]

I think it is a surprising hire; to get a sitting head of a major research institution. From the outside, it appears as a curious lateral move; but she might have wanted a change of scenery with recent controversies.

I think we'll need to hear how some Gophers think.
This is promissing on the surface: https://www.twincitiesdunkers.com/Joan-Gabel

I'm sure it will warm up the engines of some on-campus stadium conspiracy theories, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

She helped finish off a $4 billion fundraising campaign. Pitt hasn't had a public capital campaign since Nordenburg. This is probably definitely coming.

Minnesota people do not seem disappointed at all and in fact, quite happy she's out.

 

[NCPitt]

Will she bring science back to the anthropology department?

 

[pittchagg]

Was probably pretty easy to find a place to build a stadium on 2700 acres.

It looks like a lot of that land is on their secondary campus outside of the city. They have a big area adjacent to the Minnesota state fairgrounds where the university has most of its agriculture and veterinary programs.

 

[joeydavid]

How parallel of a move is this? Remarkably similar schools by rankings.

Institutional Profile
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Established.......................1851......1787
Campuses .............................5..........4^
AAU......................................Yes........Yes
Students........................50,943.....33,861
Undergrads (main).......30,560....19,980
Post and grad................15,488.......9,191
Employees......................24,336.....14,234
Student/Faculty ratio.......16:1.........13:1
Main campus acres........2,730.........150

^Pitt-Titusville not included

Admissions (undergrad at main campus)
................................Minnesota......Pitt
Retention.........................90%........93%
6-year grad rate...............84%.......84%
% applicants admitted....75%.......49%
% admits matriculated...24%.......23%
SAT 50th percentile.........1378.....1370
ACT 50th percentile...........29..........31
Top 10th in HS class.........41%.......56%
Out of State students......25%......36%
First years on campus.......80%.....96%

Academic Rankings
................................Minnesota......Pitt
US News Rank.......62nd................62nd
US News Public.....23rd................23rd
NSF R&D Rank.......22nd................18th
NIH rank..................19th..................3rd
Endowment rank...27th................26th
ARWU rank.............44th................82nd
THE rank.................101st...............144th
QS rank....................185th..............181st

Athletic Director's Cup
Total varsity sports....21....................19
NACDA Cup 2022.......28th...............73rd

Football
..........................................Minnesota.......Pitt
Total Claimed MNC............7......................9
All time wins......................26th................19th
Total bowl wins...................11.....................15
Total Consensus AAs........34....................55
Total Heismans....................1.......................1
Total Pro HOF......................7......................10
Total AP Polls (rank)..........52nd...............27th
Last AP Poll Final.............2019 (10).......2023 (22)

Basketball
................................Minnesota...............Pitt
Helms MNCs.......................2....................2
NCAA Championships......0....................0
Final Fours...........................1*....................1
Elite Eights..........................2*...................3
Sweet 16s............................4*...................7
NCAA Appearances.........14*.................27
Total AP Polls (rank)........42nd..............39th
Last NCAA appearance..2019..............2023

*includes vacated

Yeah all of that great but Pitt doesn't have a douche with oars....

 

[CrazyPaco]

Minnesota people do not seem disappointed at all and in fact, quite happy she's out.

I don't get the sense on their free message board they really have any feelings about it. It seems to have taken most by surprise, but they mostly don't seem to express much at all. I've found no tangible critiques in any comments.

 

[Gep Dawg]

I was impressed by her during the presser. She was great. I like that she has a background in academic leadership and that her focus is on students, faculty and the presence of the university in the community. She also went to a great school in the Philly area and has a son who is a student at Pitt which is awesome. No one has a crystal ball but I can see why the Board was impressed. I’m excited to see what she can do! H2P!!!