![\"NMSU\"](\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/NMSU.jpg\" "\\"NMSU\\"")
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A finalist for the job of president of New Mexico State University<\/a> \u2013 one who had received attention because of a scandal at the institution where he currently works \u2013 has withdrawn his name from consideration for the school’s top job.<\/p>\n Richard Herman\u2019s withdrawing of his name from consideration was announced today in a news release from the university.<\/p>\n \u201cHerman said his decision is based on other obligations that will prevent him from continuing as a candidate,\u201d the release states. \u201cHe expressed his good wishes for NMSU\u2019s future successes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand and respect Dr. Herman\u2019s decision,\u201d NMSU\u00a0Board of Regents\u00a0Chairman Blake Curtis said in the release. \u201cWe have a pool of fully qualified candidates and our selection process will continue as planned.\u201d<\/p>\n The regents plan to meet Nov. 19 to announce the university\u2019s new president. Of the remaining four candidates, three have visited campus. The fourth, James Oblinger<\/a>, plans a three-day visit that starts Sunday.<\/p>\n As I\u2019ve 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\u2019s top job.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n