SOU Board Narrows Field of Presidential Candidates

(Ashland, Ore.) — After a nationwide search, three finalists have been selected in the search for a new president of Southern Oregon University. The finalists were recommended to the SOU board of trustees by the Presidential Search Committee, which was comprised of key members of both internal and external constituent groups, including, but not limited to, the board of trustees; SOU faculty, staff, alumni, and students; an Oregon public university president; and members of the Rogue Valley community.
Each of the three finalists will visit Southern Oregon to meet with various SOU constituent groups as well as hold town hall-style forums that will be open to the public.
The second of the finalists to arrive on campus will be Dr. Terry Allison, who is scheduled to be in the Rogue Valley June 1 and 2. Allison currently serves as chancellor of Indiana University South Bend. He holds a doctorate in literature from University of California, San Diego; a master’s degree in comparative literature, also from UCSD; a master’s degree in library and information science from University of California, Berkley; and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science, also from UC Berkley.
Prior to his role as chancellor of Indiana University South Bend, Allison held various positions in higher education teaching and administration, including provost and vice president of academic affairs at Governors State University in Illinois; dean of the College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles; and numerous faculty appointments.
The public will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of Allison during an open forum on June 1 at 3:30 p.m. The forum will take place in Room 151 inside the Science Building on SOU’s main campus in Ashland.
“We are hoping that not only our campus community, but the entire Rogue Valley will want to be involved in this process and meet these candidates,” said Bill Thorndike, chair of the SOU board of trustees. “We will be soliciting feedback from all who attend, and that input is very important in our decision making process.”
One of the three finalists, Dr. Michael Tidwell, visited the Rogue Valley May 25 and 26. The third finalist will be announced in advance of his or her visit to SOU. More information on the search and the candidates is available at presidentialsearch.sou.edu.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized campus that provides comprehensive educational opportunities with a strong focus on student success and intellectual creativity. Located in vibrant Ashland, Oregon, SOU remains committed to diversity and inclusion for all students on its environmentally sustainable campus. Connected learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. Visit sou.edu.