UNM names 5 finalists for president

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents Monday named five finalists to succeed President David Schmidly, who is stepping down in June.

The finalists are Douglas Baker, provost and executive vice president of the University of Idaho; Robert Frank, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of Kent State University; Meredith Hay, special adviser to the chair for strategic initiatives for the Arizona Board of Regents; Elizabeth Hoffman, executive vice president and provost of Iowa State University; and Elsa Murano, professor and president emerita of Texas A&M University.

Jack Fortner, president of the UNM Board of Regents and chair of the search committee, says all five are outstanding candidates with great enthusiasm for UNM. He says all five will be visiting the campus over the next two weeks for open forums and private interview with regents.