By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Richard Herman, Ph.D., has withdrawn his name from the New Mexico State University presidential selection process. The search will continue with the four remaining candidates.
Herman is Special Assistant to the President, Professor, and recently Chancellor, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He resigned as Chancellor after reports surfaced that the University gave special attention to politically connected applicants.
Herman said his decision is based on other obligations that will prevent him from continuing as a candidate. He expressed his good wishes for NMSU's future successes.
"I understand and respect Dr. Herman's decision," NMSU Board of Regents Chairman Blake Curtis said. "We have a pool of fully qualified candidates and our selection process will continue as planned. On Nov. 19 we have a special Board of Regents meeting scheduled. It is our intent to announce our next president at that time."
The NMSU presidential candidates include:
Barbara Couture, D.A., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
James Oblinger, Ph.D., Professor, recently Chancellor, North Carolina State University.
Michael Ortiz, Ph.D., President, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Lisa Rossbacher, Ph.D., President, Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga.
All of the finalists have visited NMSU for interviews, forums and tours except Oblinger, whose visit is scheduled for Nov. 15-17.