quote:

---

Originally posted by: Trapper John
"Two former administrators at USM that went on to bigger and better opportunities out of state have been seen in the Hattiesburg area recently. Both have credentials that would qualify them for one or more VP positions. Can anyone verify that this is true. The two appeared without notice and have been seen for several days in the Hattiesburg area, one being driven around by a realtor. "

---

Well I do hope they find what they are looking for during their soujourn around Hattiesburg. If you bump into either, however, you might consider telling them this: "If you are looking for an appointment at USM, it is essential that you go through a nationally advertised search with an appropriately constituted search committee. That's the way things work at major universities. So don't give up your daytime job yet." 

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Trapper John
"Two former administrators at USM that went on to bigger and better opportunities out of state have been seen in the Hattiesburg area recently. Both have credentials that would qualify them for one or more VP positions. Can anyone verify that this is true. The two appeared without notice and have been seen for several days in the Hattiesburg area, one being driven around by a realtor. "

---

There are several former USM administrators, with a high level of competence and personal integrity, who left USM for greener pastures. The names of Carl Martrey and Don Cotten come to mind. Both have these important characteristics. USM would be fortunate to have either or both of them back in a major administrative capacity. And Jim Sims was such a capable and honorable administrator.  

quote:

---

Originally posted by: LVN
"Delta Dawn is absolutely correct that, if we insist on clean national searches, that has to be the process, whether the preferred candidate is friend or foe.  Unless the people in question are coming back to take interim positions, or just to teach, it's not right for them to circumvent the correct selection process, any more than it was right for Dr. Thames to do so."

---

I had heard around the time of the first PUC meeting (that day in fact) that Don Cotten was in town -- in fact was over in the dome. Can't verify it but it came from a source that I don't credit for simply passing rumor.