West Virginia University’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the selection of an interim president at an emergency meeting Thursday, authorizing the Board chair to take all necessary steps to negotiate and complete an agreement.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is scheduled to consider the selection during its regular meeting Friday, when the appointment will be made public.

The president will take office in January, replacing Jim Clements, who announced in November that he would be leaving the presidency at the end of the year. The interim will reside at Blaney House and fully participate in the active life of a University president, Board Chair James W. Dailey II said following the meeting.

“We are absolutely thrilled with our selection to lead the state’s flagship, land-grant university during an important time in our history,” said Dailey. “This individual is uniquely qualified to move WVU forward and continue the momentum we are enjoying. We are anxious for our new president to arrive in the new year, and hope that folks will get a chance to say `hello and welcome’ very soon.”

The Board also adopted proposed procedures and guidelines for the national search, which will also go before HEPC for approval on Friday, along with the proposed composition of the search panel and timeline. Dailey said the goal is to have a permanent president in place by next fall. He thanked the Board for its engagement in the process over the past four meetings.

-WVU-

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