A finalist for the job of president of New Mexico State University – one who had received attention because of a scandal at the institution where he currently works – has withdrawn his name from consideration for the school’s top job.
Richard Herman’s withdrawing of his name from consideration was announced today in a news release from the university.
“Herman said his decision is based on other obligations that will prevent him from continuing as a candidate,” the release states. “He expressed his good wishes for NMSU’s future successes.”
“I understand and respect Dr. Herman’s decision,” NMSU Board of Regents Chairman Blake Curtis said in the release. “We have a pool of fully qualified candidates and our selection process will continue as planned.”
The regents plan to meet Nov. 19 to announce the university’s new president. Of the remaining four candidates, three have visited campus. The fourth, James Oblinger, plans a three-day visit that starts Sunday.
As I’ve previously written, Herman and Oblinger have faced scandal in their home states that has drawn a great deal of attention in New Mexico as they have been considered for NMSU’s top job.
Herman recently resigned from his job as chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign after it was revealed that politically connected applicants for admission were given preference over better-qualified applicants. Herman was reportedly responsible for that and has apologized.
And that’s only the beginning. If you want the rest on Herman, and the skinny on Oblinger, see my previous post on the subject.