Ashland University started the search for the new president, who is replacing interim president Dr. William Crothers, no later than July 1, 2015. AU created the president search committee, which is formed by 14 members.

The committee consists of a student representative, trustees, a faculty representative, administrative representatives and Crothers, who serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.

According to Paul McKnight, co-chair of the president search committee, the committee met first in August, where they talked with Thomas Courtice of AGB Search , which was the company that found Crothers. The committee was satisfied with the results so they decided to stay with them.

Courtice is looking for candidates who fit the characteristics that AU is looking for. Courtice along with the search committee created a profile that describes the characteristics and abilities that the new president has to have.

Courtice said he was traveling and didn’t have time to offer comment for this story.

“Ashland’s next president will be asked to exercise bold, creative, and strategic leadership with a focus on academic excellence” the online profile says. Courtice came to AU on October and met with faculty, administrators, staff, students and community leaders. He wanted to get feedback on what the priorities for the next president should be. 

After several drafts, the committee posted the final draft of the presidential profile in the AU portal. The profile is a list of desired presidential attributes and includes characteristics such as visionary leadership, strategic thinking, financial acumen, fundraising ability and articulate communication.

The search committee will be accepting nominations and evaluating application materials on a rolling basis through the early winter of 2015. In the January meeting of the board of trustees, they will discuss a candidate list of at least 10 to 12 candidates. 

“Our goal is that in March, we can give our recommendation to the board of trustees to who the next president would be” said McKnight.