Dr. Rodger Bowen and Dr. Nicholas Henry are the names of the two new candidates presented and recommended by Dr. Charles Knapp of the Heidrick & Struggles executive search firm to the presidential advisory committee Thursday at a special meeting.
Knapp said he had confidence in both candidates and would like to see them reviewed by the presidential advisory committee.
Bowen is currently the president of the State University of New York at New Paltz.
"I think Dr. Bowen would be an excellent match. He's been a very successful president at SUNY New Paltz, which is one of the most selective campuses in a large city system," Knapp said.
Henry serves currently as a professor of political science at Georgia Southern. From 1987 to 1998 he served as president there.
"I think they would be good people for the committee to interview and take a look at," Knapp said.
Senator Steve Cohen, presidential search advisory committee member, said he would like to see someone who is outgoing and able to work with many people.
"We want a crusader," Cohen said.
Carolyn Featherstone, faculty senate clerical assistant, said she is looking for a candidate who can get kids around the city excited about attending The University of Memphis.
"I want somebody who can make younger people get (enthusiastic) about The University of Memphis," Featherstone said. "You've got to have someone with vision."
Faculty Senate President Bill Gutzke asked the committee members for an extension so that everyone could look at the previous 18 candidates plus the additional two -- in detail.
"We should study these, and basically put this on hold until we can meet again," Gutzke said.
Jack Fishman, TBR committee chairman member, allowed all those who wanted to review the candidates about a week before the next meeting -- where a full discussion of the candidates will take place. According to Chancellor Manning, the next president should be in office by next fall.
For all those who worry that the search is over or that the candidates are still not diverse enough, Knapp said that the hunt has not ended yet.
"We're still searching," Knapp said.
