JSU Presidential search progressing

A representative from a search firm hired to recruit a new president for Jacksonville State University says the company has identified about 200 qualified contenders to succeed Bill Meehan. Of those about 50 applied, and 15 were seriously considered. At a Monday meeting the university’s presidential search committee whittled the number down to eight.

JSU Trustee Ronnie Smith, chairman of the search committee,

said the university will not release candidates’ names until the finalists are selected. To help determine which of the applicants are qualified to become finalists, Smith said the eight who remain must convince committee members they are passionate about the job.

To conceal candidates’ identities, members convened a closed-door executive session to evaluate applicants. After about two hours the group reopened the meeting to the public and announced they had decided on eight candidates.

Smith said The names could be revealed at an April 20 JSU board of trustees meeting, saying that he hopes the committee will have provided a list of candidates to the board by that time.