MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia University Board of Governors met behind closed doors for four hours Thursday to narrow down a list of candidates for the job of interim university president.
BOG Chairman Jim Dailey II said the board got a lot accomplished.
“We’ve narrowed our list down from some very wonderful potential candidates,” Dailey said.
The chairman added the BOG would continue its vetting process during the next two weeks.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to take that narrowed list on Dec. 3, at which time hopefully we’ll be able to conclude these efforts with respect to an interim president.”
The next BOG special meeting is Dec. 3.
The person chosen will replace WVU President Jim Clements while a search for his permanent replacement takes place. Clements is taking over as the president at Clemson University in January.
“Our goal will be to have a new president in place by fall (2014),” Dailey said in a prepared statement. “Finding the right person to lead this great University will be one of the most important decisions this Board will ever make.”
Dailey said the interim president will have an important role while the BOG is conducting its national search.
“What will be extremely important in the near future is for all of us to throw our full support behind this interim president, and continue the great work and momentum this university is experiencing,” Dailey said.
The search procedure is expected to be ready for approval by the Higher Education Policy Commission at the Dec. 3 meeting.