RUSO to Continue Process for New Southeastern President

Press Release Date: 04-14-2007

In a special meeting Saturday in Oklahoma City, the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents did not reach a consensus concerning the hiring of a new president at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. “The Board could not reach a consensus, so a (hiring) decision was not made,” said Regent Ann Holloway, chair of the SOSU Presidential Search Committee. “As a result, we want to continue the process for an undetermined period of time. We will continue to keep the University community informed.”

On April 4, RUSO announced that the two finalists for the position were Dr. Thomas L. Krepel, currently the Assistant to the President at Northern Illinois University, and Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Eastern New Mexico University.

Both finalists visited the campus on Friday and met with faculty, staff, students and community members.

The continuation of the process could mean the addition of new candidates.

The nine-member RUSO board governs the following regional institutions: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Glen D. Johnson, who served as Southeastern president for the past 9 ½ years, assumed his new duties as the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education on Jan. 17, 2007. Dr. Jesse Snowden is currently serving as Interim President at Southeastern.