Georgia on his mind

Machen chosen as finalist in U. of Georgia presidential search.

By Heather Kamins
and Katie Plona
Daily News Editors

Provost J. Bernard Machen may soon leave the University to become the president of the University of Georgia.

In early April, Machen announced his intent to step down from the University's second-in-command post when his contract expires in August.

Machen

Machen, who served as provost for two years under former University President James Duderstadt and interim President Homer Neal, cited his belief that newly appointed University President Lee Bollinger needs to have a chance to put his own administrative team into place.

In April, Machen said that although he had not submitted his name to presidential searches at other universities, if the chance arose to take the reigns of another school, he may be interested.

After discovering he had been selected as one of the three finalists for the school's top position, Machen said he was welcome to the opportunity.

"I have a lot of respect for the University of Georgia," Machen said. "I am very impressed with what they are doing."

Following Machen's announcement that he would not to continue his tenure as provost, Bollinger formed a search committee to seek Machen's replacement.

Machen said no matter what the future holds for him, he will assist Bollinger and the University in this time of transition.

"I've got a lot of things I'm not going to leave here," Machen said. "I'm not going to leave before my time is over as provost. I've told President Bollinger that I am very interested in helping him get through the transition."

University of Georgia Graduate School Dean Gordhan Patel, a member of the presidential search committee, said the committee selected the final candidates from a pool of 130 initial nominees.

Patel said he could not comment on which of the three candidates would be offered the position, but he said the committee conducted a thorough search.

Duderstadt said it is only natural that Machen would be chosen as a presidential search finalist at a national university.

"University of Michigan provosts are frequently approached about presidencies," Duderstadt said. "Dr. Machen has done a great job in a difficult situation as U. of M. provost."

Duderstadt said he cannot predict whether or not Georgia "will see the wisdom in selecting Machen" or whether Machen would accept.

"I am certain that Dr. Machen will make a great university president," Duderstadt said.

With approximately 30,000 students, The University of Georgia in Athens is the largest of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia.

The final selection is scheduled to be made on June 11.

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