Atlanta — May 27, 2008

Regent Donald M. Leebern Jr., chair of the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search at Columbus State University (CSU) in Columbus, and University System of Georgia Executive Vice chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Susan Herbst have announced the names of the two finalists for the CSU presidency.

A national search was launched to replace Columbus State President Dr. Frank Brown, who retires on June 30, 2008, after 20 years as president of Columbus State.

The recommended individuals, in alphabetical order:

Dr. Charles F. Harrington, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, professor of economics and finance, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, N.C., since 2005. Harrington is responsible for overseeing all academic operations at this 6,000 student, comprehensive regional university, where he has developed and implemented a university-wide strategic and budget planning process. Before that, Harrington served as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of business statistics from 2000 to 2005 and director of Institutional Research and Assessment and assistant professor of business statistics from 1995 to 2000, both at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville. From 1991 to 1995, Harrington had a Georgia connection, serving as assistant director of Institutional Research and Planning at the University of West Georgia, in Carrollton, Ga. Harrington earned a Ph.D. and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and Master of Science degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Dr. Timothy S. Mescon, dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business and professor and Tony and Jack Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurial Management at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga., since 1990. Mescon also served as dean and professor of management at Salisbury University, Salisbury, Md., from 1987 to 1990, as assistant dean of undergraduate studies and associate professor of management as well as a tenured associate professor of policy and entrepreneurship at the University of Miami, from 1982 to 1987, and as an assistant professor of management at Arizona State University, Tempe, from 1979 to 1982. Mescon earned his Ph.D. in strategic management from the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., and M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University, New Orleans. He is a widely published author, presenter and consultant on management, business development and entrepreneurship and in 1985 received a distinguished service award from the Small Business Council of America for his efforts in this arena. Mescon has conducted extensive sponsored research in his specialty.

The Board of Regents expects to name the next president of Columbus State University at a future meeting.

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