UMass presidential search making progress, moving forward

BOSTON - Dec. 16, 2010:The University of Massachusetts Presidential Search Committee met today and said the UMass search process is "making great progress" and is continuing to move forward.

Search Committee Chairman James J. Karam said the committee intends to invite some candidates back for second interviews next month.

"Over the past nine months, we have conducted a search that has been fair, comprehensive and thorough. Our search has attracted top quality candidates and our candidate pool remains strong and diverse," Search Committee Chairman James J. Karam said.

"Now, we are ready to move into the next stage of this process, a stage that I am confident will lead to the selection of outstanding finalist candidates," Karam said.

The search is being conducted to find a successor to President Jack M. Wilson, who has announced that he will conclude his presidency when his current term ends on June 30, 2011. Wilson has led the five-campus University of Massachusetts since September 2, 2003.

The Search Committee's role is to recommend finalist candidates to the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, which would then elect a new President.

Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 617-287-7073