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CORVALLIS - James E. Reinmuth, an Oregon State University alumnus and former dean of business at the University of Oregon, has been appointed interim president of the OSU Foundation by that organization's Board of Governors.

His appointment is effective Feb. 1. Reinmuth will succeed Dwayne Foley, who last week announced his resignation as president and CEO of the OSU Foundation.

"Jim Reinmuth is a wonderful leader, fund-raiser and educator whose long career in higher education will serve the OSU Foundation well," said Duane C. McDougall, chairman of the foundation's Board of Governors. "He has worked directly with many of OSU's deans and other academic leaders, and he has connections not only around the state, but around the world."

Reinmuth received his master's and doctoral degrees in statistics from OSU, where he met his wife, Marni. Their two daughters and a son-in-law also graduated from Oregon State, continuing a family connection to OSU.

OSU President Tim White said he was "delighted" with the appointment.

"Jim Reinmuth brings a wealth of insight and experience to help strengthen the partnership between the university and the foundation," White said. "I look forward to the partnership and working with Jim as we align and augment our fund-raising activities to the highest priority needs of the university and the people we serve."

Reinmuth joined the University of Oregon's business faculty in 1967. He was named dean of the Lundquist College of Business in 1976, and led the college through 1994. He retired as dean, but remains the Lundquist Distinguished Professor of Business.

As dean, Reinmuth helped organize a successful annual fund for the college and launched a faculty endowment program that now supports 15 faculty positions. He also helped the college develop the endowment leading to the creation of the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business.

In 1989-90, Reinmuth served as vice president for public affairs and development at the University of Oregon, working with then-President Myles Brand to plan the launch of the university's most successful capital campaign - raising more than $250 million.

After leaving the dean's position, Reinmuth served as executive director of the Oregon Joint Professional Schools of Business Program. Created by the Oregon Legislature, the program coordinates the efforts of OSU, UO, and Portland State University in offering graduate management programs.

Since 1997, Reinmuth has continued to teach at the University of Oregon. He also serves on the board of directors for several companies in Oregon and Asia, has headed several civic initiatives, and been an adviser to several companies. He is senior consulting vice president for Grenzebach, Glier & Associates, a philanthropic management consulting service.

Reinmuth has visiting academic appointments with numerous universities in Asia and Australia. He has written six books and more than 50 articles on business planning and analysis.

In 1998, he was named an Alumni Fellow by the OSU Alumni Association.

McDougall said the OSU Foundation Board of Governors will launch a search for a new foundation president and CEO. An appointment likely won't be made until the Oregon University System has identified a successor to OSU President Paul Risser, who resigned recently to become chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.