Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993 TAG: 9311020146
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"We're trying to move as quickly as possible, and yet do the job as thoroughly as we can," said Henry Dekker, president of the search committee. "We think we need to get it settled."
In September, Tech's Board of Visitors charged the 12-member search committee with finding a successor to James McComas by April 24, 1994. McComas stepped down after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"The schedule set today indicates [the committee] fully intends to meet, and perhaps exceed, that schedule," said Larry A. Harris, associate dean of education and executive secretary to the committee.
McComas' September resignation came only days after Gov. Douglas Wilder proposed up to 15 percent cuts in the state's higher education budget.
Monday, the committee made plans to start reviewing applicants' dossiers by Dec. 18. Advertisements in trade publications will go out right away, and the committee will hire an executive search firm before its next meeting - Dec. 1 - which will be paid for with private money from the Virginia Tech Foundation, according to a statement from Dekker.
In addition, committees representing five university constituencies were formed to gather input from each. These include faculty, extension staff, support staff, students and alumni.
Paul Torgersen, former dean of the College of Engineering, is serving as Tech's acting president.
"It's always better when you have permanent leadership, although we have great confidence in Dr. Torgersen as an interim president," Dekker said.
by CNB