NMSU president tops list to lead LSU

None | The Associated Press

5/15/2008 -

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico State University President Michael Martin has been named the only finalist for the chancellor's post at Louisiana State University.

A 22-member search committee voted unanimously Thursday to invite Martin to the university's main campus in Baton Rouge for a series of interviews and meetings beginning Tuesday. Martin was selected from a field of 11 candidates, the school said in a news release.

The search committee will decide whether to recommend Martin for the chancellor's position after it wraps up next week's meetings. LSU System President John Lombardi, who has described Martin as "highly qualified" to lead LSU, would forward any recommendation to the LSU board of supervisors for approval.

An LSU spokesman Charles Zewe said Martin has "not been officially selected."

"If the committee likes what they hear and depending on feedback, it's possible that Dr. Martin could be the new LSU chancellor by next Friday night," Zewe said.

Martin did not immediately return a message left Thursday on his cell phone. NMSU has scheduled a news conference at 10 a.m. today to discuss the matter, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.

Jack Hamilton, chairman of the search committee, said Martin's ability to raise funds and work effectively with the New Mexico Legislature stood out. "He would be a strong leader for our campus," Hamilton said. "He's worthy of this place, and I hope he decides to come. I also hope the committee decides to pick him."

A consultant had brought Martin to the attention of LSU — where the chancellor's position has been open since February, the school said.

Some 29,000 students, including 1,700 graduate students, attend the Baton Rouge campus — a 150-year-old university with a $400 million budget.

Martin, 61, has been president at NMSU since 2004. Before joining the land grand university, he was vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida.