Ohio University Southern campus Dean Dan Evans will make sure that the regional campuses have a voice when Ohio University selects its next president in 2004.

Evans was recently named to the 20-member Presidential Search and Screening Committee that includes representatives for the students, faculty, deans, trustees, staff, administrators, alumni, the Ohio University Foundation and members of the Athens community.

OU President Robert Glidden, 66, announced his June 30, 2004, retirement earlier this fall. He was hired as the university's 19th president in 1994.

The university hopes to name Glidden's successor by April.

"The challenge of putting together an effective search committee is to make certain to include appropriate representation from key constituencies while maintaining a size and format that is conducive to moving the process forward," Ohio University Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Walter said in a written statement.

"I believe we have accomplished that, and I'm looking forward to working with this talented group to advance the mission of finding the very best person for the presidency of Ohio University."

Evans said he is excited about what the appointment means, although it is unfortunate that someone with Glidden's talents will be leaving.

"Obviously, I am honored to be selected to serve on this very important committee," Evans said. "We will have the challenging task of choosing someone to succeed Dr. Glidden who was very successful and will be very much missed."

When the committee meets for the first time in the next two weeks, it will try to choose an appropriate national search firm to assist in the hiring process and also outline the characteristics that are needed, Evans said.

"From my perspective representing the regional campuses, I would be interested in someone who has the vision Dr. Glidden had in the importance of developing the regional campuses as part of the OU system," Evans said. "We need to find someone with the unique vision to lead us to a future that takes full advantage of regional campuses as well as the main campus."

Walter said he is confident that the search will go well.

"The presidency of Ohio University is a highly desirable position. The university is in great shape and has gained a very favorable reputation nationally," he said. "I expect that we will have several outstanding candidates from whom to choose."

The committee consists of trustees Robert Walter, Patricia Ackerman, Daniel DeLawder, Robert Kidder and Marnette Perry; students Tara Stuckey, a student trustee and Michael Willits, president, Graduate Student Senate; OU faculty members Hugh Bloemer, Josephine Bloomfield, Vibert Cambridge, Tom Davis, Shawn Ostermann and Madeleine Scott; Deans Dan Evans, Kathy Krendl of the College of Communication, Gary Neiman of the College of Health and Human Services; staff member Terry Conry; alumni representative Bill Burke; OU Foundation representative Charlotte Eufinger and Bick Weissenrieder, the president of Hocking Valley Bank to represent the community.