The search for a new University of Oregon president has collected 250 nominations so far. The deadline for applicants is March 9th.
The university is looking for a replacement for President Michael Gottfredson who left the post abruptly last year. An executive search firm is helping the presidential search committee find possible candidates.
Board of Trustees member Connie Ballmer, heads the search committee. She says they plan to winnow down the pool to 8 to 10 semifinalists in March. Ballmer says with all the recent changes at the U of O, it's a unique job opportunity.
"People who apply for this job don't want to come to Oregon just to maintain a sailing ship. This is a place that you come because you can really change the trajectory, you can really turn it up, you can really be a leader. So those are the kind of people we're talking to."
Ballmer says it’s a competitive market right now with several Universities seeking leaders. Trustees could be interviewing three to five finalists by April. No finalist's names will be released until the trustees schedule a public vote to hire the top candidate.
