In a year marked by uncertainty and questioned leadership, the Board of Regents made a move Monday to re-establish order by selecting a new president.

The regents voted unanimously to appoint newly-confirmed Regent Michael Gartner as president of the Board of Regents.

Gartner, who is the chairman and principle owner of the Iowa Cubs, will fill the remainder of former president John Forsyth’s term, which expires April 30, 2006.

It has been nearly three months since the board had permanent leadership. Forsyth resigned in January amid questions of conflicts of interest over his position on the board and as chairman and CEO of Wellmark Inc.

Wellmark is in the process of renegotiating its contract with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

His departure spurred two other resignations for similar reasons, Des Moines Regent David Neil and Sioux City Regent Sue Nieland.

This forced Gov. Tom Vilsack to make five emergency appointments to the nine-member board in a period of three weeks.

All of Vilsack’s appointments were confirmed by the Iowa Senate last week, including Gartner. He was previously appointed to fill the remainder of Neil’s term, which expires April 30, and was appointed to a new six-year term that begins May 1.

Gartner has stepped into a difficult position after the resignations prompted skepticism by state legislators of the board’s ability to provide effective leadership of the state’s three public universities.

Legislators have been hesitant to fully support the Board’s Partnership for Transformation and Excellence because of concerns about the condition in which the board was left following the departures.

Gartner’s selection as president drew opposition from Senate Republican Floor Leader Stewart Iverson, R-Dows.

“I don’t especially care for Michael Gartner, personally. I’m not in tune with his ideas pertaining to education,” Iverson said. “I think he ran the Vision Iowa Board more as a dictator. I think the regents can do better at managing its money, and I hope Michael Gartner realizes that.”

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, however, welcomed Gartner’s appointment as president.

“I think it’s great to have someone of Michael Gartner’s caliber and experience leading the Board of Regents,” Gronstal said.

Iowa City Regent Bob Downer, who served as president pro tempore since Forsyth’s resignation Jan. 20, will return to his position. Downer declined nomination as president, stating the time commitment would make him unable to run his law practice, Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C.

Downer was the one who nominated Gartner — the only nomination made during the meeting.

“It is my pleasure to hand off the gavel at this time,” he said during the meeting. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to the citizens of Iowa in a wide variety of endeavors, and I am confident that he will serve with great distinction.”

Downer, as well as other regents, have praised Gartner’s qualifications for the position, having served as chairman of the Iowa Vision Board from 2000 to 2005, former president of NBC News, former editor and president of the Des Moines Register, former co-owner of the [Ames] Tribune, and 1997 Pulitzer Prize winner.

“His experience having worked here in Ames is a benefit, as I think it helps give him a better understanding of some of the things we are doing,” said Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance.