The Board of Trustees for the Institutions of Higher Learning voted Sept. 17 to extend the contracts of Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum and University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce through Sept. 30, 2030, and approved increases to their compensation, the Magnolia Tribune reported.
The four-year extensions are effective Oct. 1 and run through Sept. 30, 2030, the Magnolia Tribune reported.
IHL Director of Communications John Sewell said, “Chancellor Boyce and President Keenum are providing strong leadership at their respective universities, and the renewal of their contracts is evidence of the Board of Trustees’ confidence in the work they have done and will do in the years to come,” the Magnolia Tribune reported.
According to the Magnolia Tribune, both leaders’ state salaries are set at $562,500 for the first contract year and $550,000 for each of the remaining three years. Each will also receive an annual foundation supplement of $450,000 from their institution’s foundation.
The contracts include retention payments to be made on June 30 of each contract year. The Magnolia Tribune reported Boyce’s retention payments are listed at “up to” $275,000 for each of the first two years and “up to” $300,000 for each of the last two years. Keenum’s retention payments are listed at “up to” $475,000 for the first year, “up to” $275,000 for the second year and “up to” $300,000 for each of the last two years.
Both contracts include an amended version of the NCAA cooperation clause requiring applicable employees to cooperate with NCAA infraction processes and related investigations; disciplinary actions listed include suspension without pay or termination, the Magnolia Tribune reported.
The Magnolia Tribune reported the two university leaders previously received contract extensions from the IHL board in 2024 under which their state salaries were $500,000 plus $450,000 in foundation supplements. Under those previous contracts, the Magnolia Tribune said Boyce was owed a retention payment of up to $400,000 on June 30 of this year and another up to $400,000 if he completed his contract, and Keenum’s previous contract provided for up to $600,000 if he maintained employment until June 30, 2028.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
