MUNCIE, Ind. - The search for a new Ball State president begins in earnest this week when the consultant hired by the Board of Trustees meets with campus constituent groups.

Edward T. Lewis, senior associate with Academic Search Consultation Service, arrived Sunday and is on the campus through Tuesday to gather information for the search. Lewis has worked in higher education for 30 years as associate dean of the Graduate School of Business at Cornell and from 1983-96 as president of St. Mary’s College, a public liberal arts college in Maryland and the state’s only honors college.

"I want to learn more about Ball State," he said. "You really must understand the aspirations of a university if you hope to represent it. People need to know they have had a voice in the selection."

Lewis said his task is to ensure the process is run as efficiently as possible with sensitivity to all concerned.

He met Sunday with student leaders including athletes, student government officials and representatives of the Honors College, University Senate Chair Nancy Carlson and senior administrators.

Monday sessions are scheduled with the 13-member Search Committee, service and staff representatives, and administrative personnel.

In addition to meetings Tuesday with the senior staff, deans, and advancement officials, Lewis will conduct an open meeting for the campus community from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Center Music Lounge. All who are interested in the search are encouraged to attend.

Board of Trustees President Tom DeWeese said the three-days of meetings are the first step in a careful, thorough search process.

"We feel it is crucial that anyone who has a question or input has an opportunity to share his or her views," said DeWeese. "This is an important decision for the future of the university. We need to hear all the voices in the community."

Academic Search Consultation Service was engaged by the trustees in late September to assist the search committee. Lewis said he expects the committee will invite no more than 4-5 candidates to the campus in March and the trustees will select the next president from that group.

DeWeese said he expects the board to choose a new president in early April 2000. President John E. Worthen announced he will retire June 30.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story contact Jeffrey Alford at jalford@bsu.edu or 765-285-1560.)