Atlanta — May 28, 2008

Regent Elridge McMillan, chair of the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Valdosta, and University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst have announced the names of the three finalists for the VSU presidency.

A national search was launched to replace VSU President Ronald M. Zaccari, who will retire June 30, 2008, after six and a half years in office.

The recommended individuals, in alphabetical order:

Dr. Thomas L. Keon, dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., since 1997. Keon also served as dean of the College of Business Administration at Southern Illinois University Carbondale from 1995 to 1997; associate dean of the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale from 1992 to 1994; and associate dean of the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri in Columbia from 1989 to 1990. His affiliation with the latter institution’s business college includes having served as director of graduate studies (1988-1990) and chair of the Department of Management (1988-1989).

Keon holds a Ph.D. in management conferred in 1979 by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. He also earned an MBA in 1975 from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., a master of education degree in 1974 from Suffolk University in Boston, and a bachelor of science degree in 1971 from Bentley College in Waltham, Mass.

Dr. Patrick J. Schloss, president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., since 2004. Schloss also served Bloomburg University of Pennsylvania as acting president in 2004, provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1999 to 2004, and assistant vice president and dean of graduate studies and research from 1992 to 1994. Schloss served as professor and chair of the Department of Special Education at the University of Missouri from 1988 to 1992. He was the professor-in-charge of special education at Penn State University in State College from 1982 to 1987.

Schloss holds a Ph.D. in rehabilitation psychology and special education conferred in 1979 by the University of Wisconsin in Madison; a master of science degree in counseling earned in 1976 and a bachelor of science degree earned in 1974, both conferred by Illinois State University in Normal.

Dr. Elizabeth J. Stroble, senior vice president and provost and chief operating officer at the University of Akron (Ohio) since 2003 and dean of the College of Education from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, Stroble served as associate dean of the School of Education at the University of Louisville (Ky.) from 1995 to 2000. From 1991 to 2000, she progressed from an assistant professor of secondary education to full professor on the university’s faculty. Stroble launched her higher education career at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where she taught secondary education courses from 1987 to 1991.

Stroble holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction conferred in 1987 by the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, master of arts degrees in history (1979) and in American and English literature (1984), both from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, and a bachelor of arts degree conferred in 1973 by Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.

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

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