The committee charged with finding a new president for the University of Memphis has announced the names of the four finalists.
The four finalists are U of M Provost David Rudd; Guy Bailey, professor and former president at the University of Alabama; Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Arkansas; and George W. Hynd, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at the College of Charleston.
Rudd came to Memphis just one year ago and is now seeking the top job.
"We are here to respond to the needs and the issues of our students," he said during closing remarks at his meet and greet with students on March 17. "You (the students) asked great questions and brought up thoughtful issues. This is why I love being part of the University."
Rudd came to Memphis from the University of Utah in March 2013. Rudd has been actively involved in addressing the University's financial issues the past few months.
Bailey served as the president of the University of Alabama for 57 days before stepping down in October of 2012, citing his wife's health issues. The University of Alabama Crimson White newspaper reported in 2012 that his wife was a cancer survivor, but she relapsed shortly after he was named president. She died shortly after his resignation. The paper also reported that he was one of the finalists for the presidency at the New Mexico State University but did not get the job.
Gaber became provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Arkansas on May 1, 2009. She came to the University of Arkansas from Auburn University where she served as an interim provost. Gaber serves as vice-chair for of the board of directors for the Arkansas Research and Technology Park.
Hynd came to the College of Charleston from Arizona State University. He became provost and executive vice president of student affairs of the college in January 2010. He also serves as a clinical child neuropsychologist where he studies factors that influence fetal brain development.
The search firm Greenwood/Asher & Associates accepted applications for the position from December 2013 through Feb. 1, 2014. Though the exact number of candidates who applied is unknown, only a select few made it to the first round of interviews that took place on Feb. 19, according to Tennessee Board of Regents member Monica Greppin-Watts. The four finalists were chosen based on the first round of interviews.
In order to move on to the interview process, candidates were required to meet a strict criteria list put together by the search firm.
"Each application was carefully reviewed to make sure all required criteria was met," Greppin-Watts said.
Bailey is to visit the University of Memphis March 19-25; Gaber is scheduled for March 23-25; Hynd March 19-21 and Rudd held his sessions March 17 and 18.
The four finalists will go through a second round of interviews with the Search Advisory Committee during their scheduled visits. During the second round of interviews, finalists will participate in campus-wide forums, a few of them streamed online.
Students will also have the opportunity to meet the finalists during a select few meet and greets designed to allow students to actively engage with the canidates. Another way for students to share their opinions pertaining to the University and the finalists will be through the U of M's website.
Cheyenne Medlock, a 23-year-old exercise and sports science major, is looking forward to the open forums and the chance to learn more about the presidential candidates.
"I'm interested in seeing what happens with the University in the next years and who steps up and what their plan and focus is," Medlock said. "The University has been really retention driven, and we are known for our research. I wonder if that will change or stay the same."
Though an exact date is not known, John Morgan, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents will recommend one of the four finalists based on how the interviews and forums go. Later on, the board of regents will vote on his recommendation.
"I can't wait to find out who our new president will be," sophomore Faith Medlin said. "It's exciting knowing that the search process is almost complete."
