By Tom Lateck
kentucky today

Mary R. Nelson, chair of the University of Louisville board of trustees, sent a letter to the UofL community on Friday, notifying them of the search for a new university president to succeed Neeli Bendapudi.

In the letter, Nelson says they are committed to conducting the search in a way that gives them the most suitable president for the UofL, noting: “A decision like this is too important to rush; we will move forward at a steady and deliberate pace.

She said at their meeting last month that the council had agreed to hire a national research firm to help them with their decision.

“National firms have the people, expertise and contacts to find and attract exceptional and diverse candidates from across the country, including many potential candidates we might not otherwise know about. We are currently developing the RFP (Request for Proposals) and will soon distribute it to potential companies. »

Nelson’s letter says further decisions about who will be involved in the research and how they will participate will be made once the company is on board. “It is too early to determine how long the process will take, but the plan will be clearly defined and shared publicly. This will involve the selection of a research committee to lead the effort and public participation, including listening tours and a dedicated website through which we will receive feedback and provide updates.

She noted that she and some board members have already started talking to other universities to learn more about their recent research. “We will gain valuable insights into their successes and the problems that arose, and we will put this information to good use as we strive to conduct the most inclusive and successful research possible.”

The board is looking for a replacement for Bendapudi, who resigned as president of the University of Louisville in December, to become president of Penn State.

The post of president is one of the three high-level openings at UdeL.

Athletic director Vince Tyra also quit in December, and men’s basketball coach Chris Mack left last month after he and the school agreed to a $4.8 million buyout of his contract.