Two weeks after Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell announced plans to retirenext year, the process to find his successor has officially begun.
In a special meeting Friday afternoon, the WKU Board of Regents appointed a search committee of mostly current and former regents. Search Committee Chairman Dr. Phillip Bale told WKU Public Radio that the seven-member group could be expanded.
"Western Kentucky University involves more than just the university," stated Bale. "Obviously, it's a very important part of Bowling Green and this surrounding region, so we'll be looking to see if there's any other stakeholders who need a voice or larger voice than what we have right now."
The presidential search committee will include:
- Dr. Phillip Bale, Chair and current Regent
- Dr. Barbara Burch, current Faculty Regent
- Mrs. Cynthia Harris, current Board of Regent's Secretary
- Mrs. Julie Hinson, WKU Alumni Association President
- Mr. James Meyer, former Board of Regents Chairman
- Mr. Jay Todd Richey, current Student Regent
- Dr. Tamela Smith, current Staff Regent
The Board of Regents also voted to immediately issue a request for proposals from executive search firms. The deadline to submit proposals will be March 2, 2016.
The search committee hopes to have the candidate pool narrowed to no more than five finalists by this December with the selection of a new president by March 2017.
This will only be the seventh presidential search in the 110-year history of the university. Dr. Ransdell has said that he will not be a part of the search process.
