HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University named three finalists Wednesday in its search for a new president. All three are scheduled to visit MU’s South Charleston and Huntington campuses next week, the university said.
The finalists are Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, provost and executive vice president of Mississippi State University; Dr. Christopher G. Maples, president of Oregon Institute of Technology; and Dr. Denis A. Wiesenburg, professor of marine science and former provost/vice president for academic affairs of the University of Southern Mississippi.
“All of them bring experiences that would fit very nicely with Marshall University and I think would benefit Marshall well into the future,” said Gary White, the interim president at Marshall University.
Marshall began searching for a new president earlier this year following the Dec. 2014 death of former president Dr. Stephen Kopp, 63, who died of a heart attack at his home.
The current finalists did not apply for the job but were recruited by MU-hired AGB Search consultants.
“The recruitment phase will really be a pattern for the future,” said White.
“These finalists were selected following a very competitive search process,” according to a statement released Wednesday by Michael Sellards, the search committee chair and Marshall Board of Governors chair. “The quality of these candidates is testament to Marshall’s reputation and the opportunities our presidency affords.”
Marshall’s BOG aims to have a new president on board by January.
Marshall released the following schedule and information about the campus visits:
Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 13-14: Denis A. Wiesenburg
Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 14-15: Jerome A. Gilbert
Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15-16: Christopher G. Maples
The school plans to live stream its open meetings at http://livestream.com/marshallu next week.
University officials also posted links to submit feedback about the candidate visits:
Wiesenburg: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TD3GJVQ (Survey open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 14.)
Gilbert: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TY26L9L (Survey open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Thursday, Oct. 15.)
Maples: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TYFWYYK (Survey open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday, Oct. 16.)
All comments received will be given to the members of the search committee. Questions and comments also can be e-mailed to president@marshall.edu