Friday, January 23, 2009

The third and final individual selected as a presidential finalist for Kansas State University will visit Manhattan and the KSU campus next week.

The third finalist, Dr. Robert Kennedy, and his wife, Mary, will meet
with campus and community groups on Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27. Dr. Kennedy is currently the President of the University of Maine; a position he has held since 2005.

He previously served as the Interim President and Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Maine, and in various capacities at the University of Maryland, Texas A&M University, the National Science Foundation, Ohio State University, Washington State University, and the University of Iowa.

Dr. Kennedy earned a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelors in Plant Science from the University of Minnesota. His application letter and resume can be found on the KSU Presidential Search page on the Board's website by clicking here.

"The K-State Presidential Search Committee is certainly looking
forward to having Bob and his wife Mary on campus and in the Manhattan community next week," said Nelson Galle of Manhattan, former-Regent and Chair of the KSU Presidential Search Committee.

The first presidential finalist visited KSU on January 15 and 16, and
the second finalist visited on January 22 and 23. Dr. Kennedy is the
third and final candidate to visit campus.

In May, President Jon Wefald announced that he would retire at the end
of the 2008-2009 academic year after what will be 23 years of service as KSU's President.

Shortly thereafter, the Board initiated the search process by selecting Galle to chair the search committee. In July, the Board selected the members of the search committee; 18 individuals representing KSU constituencies such as faculty, students, administration, staff, alumni/foundation, the Manhattan community, and the Board of Regents.

The Search Committee began its work in August, and, following the visits by the three finalists, will submit to the Board of Regents an unranked list of the top candidates who are the most qualified for Board selection as President of KSU. The Board expects a new president to be designated early in 2009, to assume the presidency at KSU on or about July 1, 2009.

Additional search details can be found on the KSU Presidential Search
page on the Board's website by
clicking here.