Georgia Southern University Presidential Search Committee Holds First Meeting

February 24, 2009

The Georgia Southern University Presidential Search Committee held its initial meeting on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. The nine-person search committee received its formal charge from University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. The campus-based committee also announced the launch of a presidential search Web site: www.georgiasouthern.edu/presidentsearch.

‘The entire committee is excited to get to work and we have already received some inquiries,” said Trey Denton, Ph.D., professor of Marketing at Georgia Southern University and chair of the search and screen committee. ‘Georgia Southern University has experienced tremendous growth and achievement during the past ten years and this open position should attract a tremendous amount of interest. We all believe that this will be a very attractive opportunity for the right person.”

During the meeting, Chancellor Davis and Susan Herbst, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the University System of Georgia, discussed the general search process and the specific duties of the search and screen committee. During the meeting, there was agreement that the committee would employ a ‘modified confidential process.” The committee will not release the names of prospective finalists until the candidates agree to participate in the official on-campus visit. ‘This decision will boost the quality of the applicant pool as it ensures privacy for each of the candidates during the initial phases of the search,” said Denton.

The committee’s first task will be to draft a position description and then advertise the position. While the position is being advertised this spring, the committee will meet with members of the university and community for the purpose of identifying both the desired attributes of the ideal candidate and specific questions to include in the screening process.

This summer, the committee will interview a limited number of candidates at an off-campus location. Finalists will be invited to participate in on-campus interviews during the fall semester. During these interviews, there will be opportunities for the university and community to meet each of the finalists.

The campus-based committee has been asked to forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to a Special Regents’ Search Committee. Regents Felton Jenkins, William H. NeSmith Jr., Benjamin J. Tarbutton III and Richard L. Tucker will serve as members of the Special Regents’ Search Committee chaired by Regent Donald M. Leebern Jr. This committee is responsible for recommending finalists to Chancellor Davis, who will make a recommendation to the full Board of Regents.

The timeline for the search is still under development, but Denton says, ‘I expect the search to extend through the summer and into the fall 2009 semester.” At the request of Chancellor Erroll Davis, Georgia Southern University President Bruce Grube has agreed to remain in office through December 31, 2009.

For more information on the search including the latest news and information, please visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu/presidentsearch.- See more at: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/news/pressrelease.php?id=1769#sthash.QHL4aGX4.dpuf