Presidential candidates conclude visits

Campus visits conclude for EOU presidential candidates

Source contact: Tim Seydel | Vice President, University Advancement
541-962-3740 or tseydel@eou.edu
News contact: Laura Hancock | Communications Coordinator, University Advancement
541-962-3585 or lhancock@eou.edu

April 29, 2015

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Four finalists in the search for Eastern Oregon University’s next president got to know the campus and community better during meetings with the search committee and other constituents this week and last.

Marysz Rames, Cynthia Pemberton, Tom Insko and Martin Tadlock are the candidates. Rames is the interim president at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D., Pemberton is the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, S.D., Insko is the area manager for Boise Cascade’s Inland Region in La Grande, and Tadlock is the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bemidji State University and chief academic officer at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minn.

“We have four very diverse and capable candidates,” said David Nelson of Pendleton, who chairs the search committee and EOU’s new Board of Trustees. “This is a crucial time for the university and we are receiving a lot of input. I am extremely pleased to watch the entire process working as it is intended to.”

Nelson’s commitment to the search was evident when he became emotional during one of the candidate presentations. “I was so moved, I had tears in my eyes,” he said.

Each spoke on what they believe to be the challenges and opportunities for rural, public universities during a series of open forums, and question and answer sessions.

While the ultimate selection of EOU’s next president rests with the Oregon State Board of Higher Education, the university’s local board weights the decision heavily.

The trustees are convening in executive session Friday to consider the recommendations they will make to the state board.

“The people who are committed to the prosperity of this university are also the ones directly involved with working to find a new president who will understand EOU’s priorities,” said Bill Johnson, a nominee to the new Board of Trustees from Fruitland, Idaho.

Feedback from staff, faculty, administration, students, alumni, EOU Foundation members and the community is also being collected and reviewed by the search committee and trustees.

Once the state board reaches a decision and negotiations with the successful candidate conclude, Cathy Dyck, acting chancellor of the Oregon University System, will make the formal announcement. Nelson anticipates this will occur on or before May 15. A reception for the new president will be held on campus the same day.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Jer Pratton, an EOU trustee from Hermiston. “The strength of the board is evident, and it is highly representative of the wide regional area EOU serves. We’re looking to find the best possible person to develop further opportunities for students and who will make EOU an even more viable and healthy, regional, rural university.”

For more information visit www.eou.edu/presidential-search.