Since Murray State began its provost search last October, it has spent $137,922.51 on search, travel and interview expenses.

Since it was announced that former Murray State Provost Tim Todd would be stepping down effective Nov. 1, 2025, the University continues its search for his replacement.

On Sept. 22, 2025, President Ron Patterson signed a $126,000 contract with executive search firm Greenwood Asher & Associates LLC. to manage the provost search through to June 30. The Florida-based search firm has helped complete provost searches for dozens of colleges, including the University of Kentucky.

In a document submitted to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, the University reported that the funds for this contract had been sourced from the state’s general fund. The contract is being paid off through a series of disbursements to the agency.

According to an email by Haley Stedelin, associate director of human resources, the University had paid $65,334 toward the contract as of Jan. 6.

As well as the contract with Greenwood Asher & Associates, the University took on a number of direct expenses relating to advertisements, travel and interviews of prospective candidates.

In total, the University spent $2,372.46 on catering and meals with candidates and another $7,956.05 for candidates’ travel and stay during the interview process. The University paid $1,594 for candidate advertising in various job boards and publications. The advertising cost is also being reimbursed by state funds.

Since the first iteration of the provost search did not conclude with any candidate being hired, the University is moving forward with a second search. According to an email by GA&A Vice President of Executive Search Jeremy Duff, the agency expects to advertise less in future iterations of the search.