Atlanta — May 3, 2005

Board of Regents Chair Joel O. Wooten and University System of Georgia Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith announced today the appointment of the two committees that will be charged with assisting in the selection of a new president for Fort Valley State University.

The search is being conducted to replace Dr. Kofi Lomotey, who recently announced his intention to step down from the presidency on June 30.

“Fort Valley has a great legacy as a land-grant institution with a rich record of regional and statewide service,” Chancellor Meredith stated. “We know this presidency will be an attractive post for many higher education leaders and we are looking forward to a very competitive and productive search process.”

Board of Regents Chair Joel Wooten announced that Regent Elridge McMillan has been selected to chair the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search. Regent Connie Cater and Regent Mansfield Jennings will serve as members of the committee.

Chancellor Meredith will charge the eight-member, campus-level Presidential Search and Advisory Committee formally during a visit to the FVSU campus.

The search process will commence with the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee, comprised of members of the FVSU campus community, alumni and foundation representatives. After screening applicants and conducting on-campus interviews, the campus-level committee will forward information on at least five unranked candidates to the Special Regents’ Committee. The regents on that committee will interview the identified candidates and make a recommendation, with the chancellor, to the full Board of Regents for their approval.

Dr. Julius Scipio, dean of the College of Arts, Science and Education, has been named to serve as chair of the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee. Additional faculty members selected to serve include: Dr. Carol Ann Johnson, interim associate dean for Extension, College of Agriculture; Dr. Dan T. Black, professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts, Sciences and Education and a member of the FVSU Faculty Senate; and Dr. Govind Kannan, associate professor and coordinator of animal science undergraduate and graduate programs, College of Graduate Studies.

Mr. Terrence Wolfork, chair of the FVSU Staff Council, will represent the institution’s staff. Ms. Constance Collier, incoming president of the FVSU Student Government Association, will represent the student body. Fort Valley State University Foundation Chairman and State Representative Calvin Smyre will represent the FVSU foundation. Dr. Lawrence Marable, president of the university’s National Alumni Association, will represent the university’s alumni.

Meredith also announced that an executive search firm would be retained to assist in identifying qualified candidates.

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