4/11/2008 - Jackson, Miss.

Dr. L. Stacy Davidson, Jr., President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, today announced the members of the Board Search Committees for the institutional executive officer (IEO) searches at both Mississippi State University and Mississippi Valley State University.

Board Search Committee Members for the Mississippi State University presidential search include:

• Mr. Scott Ross of West Point, MS, who will also serve as Committee Chair;
• Mr. Ed Blakeslee of Gulfport, MS;
• Mr. Aubrey Patterson of Tupelo, MS;
• Ms. Robin Robinson of Laurel, MS;
• Dr. Douglas W. Rouse of Hattiesburg, MS, and
• Mr. C. D. Smith of Meridian, MS.

Board Search Committee Members for the Mississippi Valley State University presidential search include:

• Dr. Bettye Henderson Neely of Grenada, MS, who will also serve as Committee Chair;
• Dr. L. Stacy Davidson of Cleveland, MS;
• Mr. Bob Owens of Jackson, MS;
• Mr. Alan Perry of Jackson, MS;
• Ms. Christine Pickering of Biloxi, MS, and
• Ms. Amy Whitten of Oxford, MS.

"No responsibility of the Board of Trustees is more important than the selection of an institutional executive officer," said President Davidson. "These two committees are very capable of taking the lead on this responsibility."

The Mississippi State Board Search Committee and Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith will meet with various Mississippi State University constituency groups on Monday, April 28, on the Mississippi State campus, to find out what traits the university community wants in their next president. In addition, the Mississippi Valley State University Board Search Committee and Commissioner Meredith will meet with various members of the Mississippi Valley State University community on Friday, May 2 on the Mississippi Valley campus. Traits received during the two listening sessions will be used to draft the job descriptions. Details will be announced as they are finalized.

IHL’s institutional executive officer search process allows Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and representative-based, and works in accordance with today’s recruitment standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more information on the Board’s institutional executive officer search process, including a timeline of events, visit http://www.mississippi.edu/ieo/.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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