Search back to beginning

The presidential frontrunner withdrew his candidacy.

By Michael Sewall

Published June 6, 2007

After months of discussion on the search for the next UM system president, the hunt could be back to square one.

The UM system Board of Curators, the nine-member governing body of the four UM system campuses, met last week and was expected to announce the name of the successor to former President Elson Floyd, who resigned on Dec. 13.

Instead, a UM system spokesman announced the frontrunner for the position withdrew his candidacy. The frontrunner was believed to be Terry Sutter, former president of Tyco Plastics & Adhesives.

"After receiving and reviewing comments from the presidential search advisory committee last week, the Board of Curators reached consensus to enter into negotiations with one candidate regarding possible employment, terms and conditions all contingent upon final approval of the board at a subsequent meeting," board Chairman Don Walsworth said at a news conference. "Earlier this week, that candidate advised the board that he could no longer be a candidate and he was going to accept another employment opportunity in the private sector."

The UM system hired Baker & Parker Associates, an executive search firm based in Atlanta, to search for candidates.

After discussing the desired qualities of a system president at public forums in March, the search committee and advisory committee interviewed a group of finalists early in May. But with the top choice pulling out of the race, the search committee will go back to the drawing board.

"The curators will continue their search and entertain new candidates for the office of president," Walsworth said.

It is unclear what the next step for the search committee will be, or if the entire process will have to be repeated.

"Nobody has told me anything," advisory committee Chairman Frank Schmidt said. "I don't know what the board will do next, whether they will open in to new interviews or what."

A confirmed candidate in the search process was U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo. Hulshof confirmed in May that he was a candidate for the successor to Floyd after weeks of speculation regarding his candidacy.

Hulshof said he was upset he was bypassed in the selection process.

"I am very disappointed in the curators' decision," Hulshof said in a prepared statement. "I did not withdraw my name from consideration. This is the decision of Chairman Walsworth and the board."

Hulshof stated that he will continue to support the UM system.

"I envision a university system that is respected in all parts of our state and held in high esteem across the nation," he stated.

The next Board of Curators meeting is July 26 and 27, and the presidential search will likely be discussed.