Contact: Monty Jones, (512) 499-4363

Date: October 15, 2003

UT System News Release

Finalists Named for President of U.T. Arlington

AUSTIN - Five finalists were named on Wednesday (October 15) for the presidency of the University of Texas at Arlington.

The Board of Regents of the U.T. System announced the finalists after considering recommendations of an advisory committee that reviewed 108 nominations and applications for the position.

Under state law, university governing boards name finalists for a presidency at least 21 days before making an appointment. A meeting at which the U.T. System board will make a final decision has not yet been scheduled.

The finalists are:

	Dr. Peter S. Hoff, president of the University of Maine in Orono. Dr. Hoff is also a professor of English at the university and is a former administrator in the California State University System, the University of Georgia System, Indiana University Southeast, and the University of Wisconsin System.
	Dr. Roderick J. McDavis, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Dr. McDavis is also a professor of education at the university and is a former administrator at the University of Dayton in Ohio, the University of Florida in Gainesville, and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
	Dr. Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Dr. Smith, a pharmaceutical chemist, is a former administrator at the University of Connecticut, Washington State University, and U.T. Austin.
	Mr. James D. Spaniolo, Esq., dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. Mr. Spaniolo is also a professor of journalism and previously was vice president and chief program officer of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, an executive at Knight-Ridder Inc., and associate general counsel at the American Newspaper Publishers Association.
	Dr. Arthur C. Vailas, vice chancellor for research and intellectual property management at the University of Houston System. Dr. Vailas is also a professor of mechanical engineering, biology, and biochemistry at the University of Houston Main Campus and is a former administrator at the University of Houston Main Campus and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

"The finalists whom the Board of Regents has named today are distinguished leaders capable of taking U.T. Arlington to a higher level of prominence in teaching, research, and public service. We look forward to interviews with the finalists and to receiving input from campus and community constituencies as we move toward the appointment of UTA's next leader," said Board of Regents Chairman Charles Miller. "The selection of finalists for the UTA presidency has been undertaken by the board with full awareness that the appointment of a new president for this great institution is one of the most important decisions that we will make. We have selected the finalists from among an extraordinary group of candidates, and on behalf of the board I would like to thank all the candidates who have taken part in this lengthy and detailed process."

Campus visits by the finalists will be scheduled soon and will include meetings with students, staff, faculty, department chairs, deans, alumni and community members.

(click on any image above to download a high resolution version of the photo)

U.T. Arlington Website

Related news releases:

• Search Firm Named for Presidential Search at U.T. Arlington (May 5, 2003)
• Advisory Committee Named by Regents' Chairman for Presidential Search at U.T. Arlington (February 25, 2003)
• Charles Sorber Appointed Interim President of U.T. Arlington, National Search for Permanent President to Begin (February 10, 2003)