Former MnSCU board chair to lead search committee for chancellor's successor

David Olson, immediate past board chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, has been appointed to lead the search committee to find a successor to Chancellor James H. McCormick, who plans to retire next summer.

"After just completing a six-year term on the Board of Trustees, including three as chair, David Olson brings his leadership skills and knowledge of the system to bear on this important task," said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees, who made the appointment. "I am pleased that he has agreed to continue serving the system and the people of Minnesota." Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

McCormick has led the system since 2001. He has announced that he plans to retire when his contract expires next year.

"The board expects the search process to be thorough, fair and inclusive so we find the best possible candidate to lead the system in the challenging years ahead," Thiss said. "We think it's particularly important to have employers and other members of the public on the committee as well as representatives from groups within the system. The committee is likely to follow a process similar to that used in the last chancellor search."

In 2000, the search committee included students, presidents of system colleges and universities, legislators, trustees, and representatives of the faculty and other bargaining units. The board will discuss the search process and receive a recommendation from Olson on the makeup of the search committee at its meeting July 20-21.