Eric Barron named 18th Penn State president

(State College) — Florida State President Eric Barron is headed north to assume the same post at Penn State University.

He spent about a half-hour addressing the media in State College, after receiving the unanimous backing of Penn State’s Board of Trustees on Monday afternoon.

Responding to a question about his age, the 62 year old says his comfortable with his five-year contract.

“What I want to do is to do the job the best way that I can, so that everybody looks me in the eye and says, “We really don’t want you to stop.””

Asked to identify the job’s biggest challenge, Barron said he doesn’t see barriers — only energy and commitment. He cited the amount of research money being raised, record enrollments and advancement in national college rankings as signs of positive momentum at Penn State.

Barron is no stranger to University Park, having spent two decades there as a professor and administrator for 1986 – 2006.

He will be paid $800,000 a year, plus a $200,000 annual retention bonus. If he completes all five years of the contract, he’ll also receive a one million dollar bonus.

Barron’s first day on the job will be May 12th.