The West Virginia University Board of Governors on Monday (Jan. 6) approved a 20-member committee comprising a cross-section of the University community to search for the University’s next president.

BOG Chairman James W. Dailey II will chair the search and be a non-voting member of the committee. President E. Gordon Gee will serve as an advisor and non-voting member; Paul Hill, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, will also serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member.

The committee members were nominated by various constituency groups of the University or appointed by Dailey for the Board’s approval.

“I am excited by the people who have been asked to serve by the various constituencies,” Dailey said. “I have no doubt that this group will find the best person possible to take WVU to the next level.”

The Board unanimously approved the members selected by the various groups and appointed by Dailey. Additionally, the board authorized the committee to take all necessary steps to conduct its search and proceed with the steps outlined in the approved presidential search procedure.

In addition to Dailey, the committee members are:

From the Board of Governors:

• Thomas V. Flaherty, BOG vice-chairman; attorney, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, PLLC; Charleston, WV

• Ellen S. Cappellanti, BOG secretary; attorney, Jackson Kelly, PLLC; Charleston

• Diane Lewis; president, Action Facilities Management Inc.; Morgantown.

From the Faculty Senate:

• Robert Griffith, associate professor, School of Pharmacy and a faculty representative on the Board of Governors.

• Carolyn Atkins, professor and director of undergraduate programs in speech pathology and audiology, College of Education and Human Services.

• Matt Valenti, professor of electrical engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

From Classified Staff:

• Lisa Martin, senior project coordinator, Office of University Events and chair, Staff Council.

• Dixie Martinelli, office administrator, WVU Extension Service and staff representative on the BOG.

• Paul R. Martinelli, program manager, WVU Extension Service.

From the Student Government Association:

• Colleen Beatty, a 2012 biology graduate who was an Order of Augusta Scholar and current student in the School of Medicine; Upper Tract, WV.

• Liz Gulick, a senior majoring in elementary education and member of the WVU Honors College and co-captain of the WVU volleyball team; Wheaton, IL.

• Paul Garton, a senior philosophy and international studies double major and this year’s Mr. Mountaineer; Jane Lew, WV.

From the WVU Foundation:

• Cynthia Roth, president, WVU Foundation.

• Susan Brewer, member of WVU Foundation board, CEO, Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC; Morgantown.

From the WVU Alumni Association:

• John Fahey, chairman of the Alumni Association, senior vice-president United Bank Inc.; Morgantown.

• Jack Rossi, immediate past chair of the Alumni Association, presiding member, Arnett & Foster PLLC; Charleston.

From the divisional campuses:

• Carolyn Long, campus executive officer, WVU Institute of Technology; Montgomery, WV.

From the administration:

• Elizabeth Dooley, associate provost for undergraduate academic affairs and dean of University College.

• Robert Jones, dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

The Board has set a goal of having all applications in-hand by late February with a selection made and ready for HEPC confirmation by early June to be in place by the beginning of the Fall 2014 semester.

At its December meeting, the Board adopted guidelines outlining the qualities and characteristics for the search committee to use. The characteristics focus on integrity, leadership, experience, scholarship and vision.

Among the specific characteristics are: high ethical standards and character; leadership and experience managing a complex research university with a comprehensive academic medical center; promoting a culture that embraces diversity; experience in state and national settings; an understanding of the land-grant mission; demonstrated fund-raising abilities; a record of scholarship and service; and a vision for the future, among other qualities.

Gee, who is not eligible for the permanent position, was named president effective Dec. 31, succeeding James Clements, who announced in November that he had accepted the position of president at Clemson University.

More information on the search is available at: http://presidentialsearch.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

jb/01/06/14

CONTACT: University Relations/News
304.293.6997

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.