Two engineering graduates – Gary Forsee, CE’72, and Cheryl Walker, EE’86 – have assumed new leadership roles for the four-campus University of Missouri System.

Forsee, former chief executive of Sprint, became the 22nd president of the University of Missouri on Feb. 18. “He’s a leader, and that’s what we needed,” Don Walsworth, past chair of the Board of Curators, told the Columbia Missourian in December 2007. “He will take UM beyond most people’s dreams.”

One of Forsee’s first acts as president was to send an introductory note to each of the four UM campus’ students, faculty, staff, alumni and the “worldwide family linked by passion for the university.”“I ask for your help, and your support. In return, I pledge my dedication and my best efforts on behalf of our institution.”

Forsee previously served as vice chair of BellSouth Corp., where he was responsible for domestic operations and chaired the Cingular Wireless joint venture. With more than 35 years of experience in telecommunications, he has also held leadership positions with Global One, AT&T and Southwestern Bell.

Walker, president and General Counsel of Obasi Enterprises LLC, was elected chair of the nine-member Board of Curators, the University of Missouri’s governing body, in November. Walker, whose term began Jan. 1, served as the board’s vice chair in 2007 and was appointed by Gov. Bob Holden in 2003.

Walker has chaired the board’s Finance and Human Resources Committee and the Physical Facilities and Management Services Committee. She represents Missouri’s First Congressional District.