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Presidential pursuit continues

The search for The University of Memphis' 11th president and successor to V. Lane Rawlins - who left the position in May to become the president of Washington State University - appears to be entering its final stages.

The presidential search committee has narrowed the many applicants down to three finalists: Roger W. Bowen, president of State University of New York at New Paltz; Shirley Raines, vice chancellor for academic services at the University of Kentucky; and Richard Ringeisen, vice chancellor for academic affairs at East Carolina University.

The candidates will visit The U of M Jan. 21-24 to view the campus and meet with various constituent groups from The University community. During their visits, candidates will meet with administrators, faculty, students and alumni groups, as well as with legislators who represent The University.

A committee appointed by Dr. Charles Manning, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, chose the three finalists from a list of several applicants. The committee is made up of members of the Board of Regents, faculty and students of The U of M, local businessmen who serve on the University's Advisory Board of Visitors and members of the Shelby County Legislative Delegation.

After the completion of the final interviews, the members of the committee will recommend their choice to Manning, who hopes to have a new president in place at The U of M no later than the beginning of the Fall 2001 semester.

Dr. Ralph Faudree, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been serving as the interim president since mid-May. He will continue to be the acting president until the position is filled. Faudree said he is pleased and honored to have been given the interim position, and is thankful for the learning experience and the support he has received from the faculty.

Included in the qualifications for a new president are: an earned doctorate from an accredited institution, successful campus administrative experience at a level with significant decision-making responsibilities affecting an entire campus and a demonstrated commitment to serving students.

"We are looking for someone with a breadth of understanding about the responsibilities and the position," said Dr. James Penrod, vice president of Information Systems. Penrod is also on the advisory committee. "The person must also be good at working with the community and with fund-raisers. Basically an all-around person."

Third-year law student Stephanie Simpson is a representative on the committee and said she the president chosen should be ready to work for and with the students.

"Being a student, I would like a person who is open and willing to listen to students and has a commitment to them," Simpson said. "He needs to put students first." Students will be allowed to attend special meetings set aside for them to meet and talk with each candidate.

"It is very important that students are involved in the process of selecting the president," Faudree said. "What makes a good university is good students and good faculty. They are the core. They should be included in the selection."

Special meetings have been planned for students to meet with the potential candidates in the Fogelman Executive Center room 123: with Bowen on Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m.; Raines on Jan. 23 at 2:30 p.m. and Ringeisen on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m.Ringeisen, vice chancellor for academic affairs at East Carolina University.


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