SCSU narrows presidential field to five
By LEE TANT, T&D Staff ReportTuesday, April 22, 20084 comment(s) | Default | Large
The search for South Carolina State University’s 10th president is down to five finalists, according to Lumus Byrd, vice chairman of the S.C. State Presidential Search Committee.
“The process is progressing very well,” said Byrd, adding the target date of having the new president in place by July 1 is well within reach.
Members of the committee met all day on both Saturday and Sunday to narrow the field that began with 42 candidates.
Byrd, who also serves on the university’s board, said he could not release a list of the finalists’ names yet and that an announcement would be forthcoming.
The committee also selected an alternate, he said.
The committee is planning to invite the finalists to visit the campus to meet with faculty, staff, students and community stakeholders.
“They’ll get a chance to interview and vet the candidates,” Byrd said. The committee hopes to hold those interviews next week.
Once the five finalists have undergone those interviews, three candidates will be selected for final consideration by the entire S.C. State board of trustees.
Byrd noted the confidentiality of the process, stating the committee members had their notes and materials taken up at the conclusion of its weekend meetings.
The committee began searching for former S.C. State President Dr. Andrew Hugine’s replacement at the beginning of the year. The board decided to not renew Hugine’s contract last December and placed him under administrative leave until his last day on Jan. 4.
Dr. Leonard McIntyre was tapped by the board to serve as interim president.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060.

abattiste wrote on Apr 29, 2008 11:57 PM:
bosshogg wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:49 AM:
cherokee wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:21 AM:
We cannot continue down the "good old boy" path any longer. It hasn't worked as of yet and won't work in the future.
The future President of South Carolina State University must be prepared to be an innovator who can bear the heat of being in the kitchen 24/7. And he must be able to make harsh decisions as to where this University will be in the coming years even at the expense of some of the Board of Trustees wishes.
And he or she must address some of the shortcomings of previous administrations. Among these shortcomings are financial record keeping, various slush fund usage, and possible criminal activities.
Questions should be answered. Among these are such questions as to why Property and Inventory records were destroyed (both computerized and paper records) which were vital in accounting for property and materials bought by the University.
Other questions would be "Where is the new Clyburn Transportation Center" or where is the new Science and Engineering Building or where is the new Hodge Hall Annex building"? Al three are part of the College of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technology and guess where two previous Presidents came from.
He or she must, also, address the problem of a top heavy administration. There are too many VP's. Assistant VP's, and Directors.
Again, Good Luck to our future President.
"
beast wrote on Apr 22, 2008 8:33 AM: