In a memo distributed to all faculty and staff July 23, Shawn Hessing, chair of the MSU Board of Regents, announced the formation of a 12-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee after University President Jesse Rogers announced his retirement in May.

“I know you will all join me in expressing our thanks and appreciation to each of these individuals for their commitment of time, effort, and energy as we begin the process of selecting the next leader to uphold Midwestern’s rich traditions and continue to advance its standing in higher education,” he said.

The following individuals have agreed to serve as members of the search advisory committee:

• Mike Bernhardt, vice chairman, MSU Board of Regents
• Caven Crosnoe, board member
• Tiffany Burks, board member
• David Carlston, Chairman of MSU Faculty Senate and assistant professor of psychology
• Ranette Halverson, professor of computer science
• Samuel Watson III, dean of the Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Dirk Welch, chairman of the MSU Staff Senate and director of Career Management and Testing
• Mac Cannedy Jr., MSU alumnus, accountant and regent emeritus
• Darrell Coleman, MSU alumnus and former newspaper publisher
• Carol Gunn, MSU alumna and former regent
• Rebecca Stogner, president of the MSU Student Government Association

In addition, Debbie Barrow, director of board and government relations, and Barry Macha, general counsel, will serve as senior staff and coordinators of the committee.

Hessing also announced that the Board at a special meeting July 21 hired a company, Academic Search, to coordinate the search.

In closing, Hessing said, “In the coming weeks and months, you will hear more from the presidential search advisory committee and search firm as we begin to solicit input from the MSU community with respect to your goals and aspirations for the next leader of our university. In our selection of the 11th president of Midwestern State University, the Board commits to you that we will do all to ensure that Midwestern remains and builds upon its reputation as a center for leadership and excellence in shaping higher education.”