With the resignation of University Provost Bonnie Higginson, President Randy Dunn has selected individuals to serve on a search committee – charged with doing a national search for a new University provost.

Higginson said applications for the position were likely to be due in early February after the University advertised the position in publications like The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Dunn said in prior searches of the same magnitude, the University hired a firm with an in-house search committee serving in tandem.

He said this time, due to cost and time restraints, the University has opted to use its own search committee. He said the cost incurred for the benefit received was a determining factor, because he said the University could save money while still getting the best candidates.

“We think we can get the same end results by using the talent we have here at the University,” he said. “I have asked Jack Rose to chair the committee.”

The provost selection committee will be charged with recommending two to four unranked candidates who would serve as finalists in the search.

Those finalists would do on-campus interviews in the spring.

Dunn said he hoped to have a new provost in position by July 1.

If the selected candidate is not in position by that date, Dunn said he would serve in capacity – provided the candidate only needed a few weeks during the summer.

If a candidate is selected and needs more time than feasible, Dunn said an interim might be appointed who would assume the role for the summer.

Jack Rose, faculty regent and professor in the College of Education, said as chair of the search committee he will help guide the group in selecting two to four candidates who will then be recommended to Dunn.

“Overall we’ll be looking for (applicants) who will be effective in maintaining the high quality we have now,” he said. “We’d like someone who would lead us forward to even greater heights.”

Rose said there were standards of the position, which were obviously necessary such as a doctorate and years of experience, but he said the key is finding someone who is visionary and compatible with the University’s goals.

Story by Chris Wilcox, News Editor.