USI Trustees met in executive session to 'discuss personnel matters'

Megan Erbacher
Evansville
Linda Bennett
Linda Bennett, third president of the University of Southern Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees met Tuesday morning to “discuss personnel matters,” but the meeting was closed to the public.

“The presidential search committee has completed its work and the decision is now in the hands of the Board of Trustees,” John Farless, director of USI communications, said in a statement.

Trustees met in executive session at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Old National Bank, according to a public notice.

“Although a date has not been set, the Board of Trustees will meet again in special session to vote on the next president for the university,” Farless said.

He said a 48-hour notice will be given before the public meeting when members will vote on USI’s fourth president. He did not elaborate if it would occur before or after the regularly scheduled April 27 trustees meeting.

Current USI President Linda Bennett announced in August her plan to retire June 30. Bennett turned 65 in December, and she said it was a “good time to think about the next chapter.”

Since Bennett’s announcement, a search committee and outside executive search firm was hired to lead a nationwide hunt for a new leader.

USI hasn’t been alone in the pursuit of a new president.

Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz

Last month University of Evansville officials announced Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz as the 24th president of the university. Pietruszkiewicz (petra- skev -ich) is currently the dean of the Stetson University College of Law and a former Louisiana State University faculty member and administrator. He will officially take the role July 1.

Last July current UE President Thomas Kazee announced his plan to retire as UE’s 23rd president on May 31. Kazee, 65, said after one more school year, it’s time to “move on to whatever life brings us next.”

Since the presidential search processes began, officials at both the public and private institutions stayed quiet on specifics, particularly about the number of applicants and who applied for the position. Search committee leaders at both institutions said the process stayed confidential to get the best candidates for the job.

State law seems to favor the move, according to Stephen Key, Hoosier State Press Association executive director and general counsel, who said officials can "pretty well keep it confidential."

More:UE, USI to keep presidential finalists secret until decision is made

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