Finalists named in presidential search

Sara Bertsch Editor-in-Chief

Four finalists were named today in the search for the next president of South Dakota State.

They include Barry Dunn, John Mason Jr., James Rankin and Zulma R. Toro. The finalists will interview on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21.

Dunn is the current dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at SDSU. He holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in animal science and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from SDSU.

Mason serves as the vice president for research and economic development at Auburn University in Alabama. He also holds a master’s degree in transportation engineering from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree in transportation from Penn State.

Rankin is the vice provost for research and economic development at the University of Arkansas. He holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Toro serves as the executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of Arkansas.

She holds a Ph.D. degree in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Puerto Rico.

More information on each of these candidates is posted online at http://www.sdstate.edu/presidentsearch/candidates.cfm.

The SDBOR will meet in executive session with the finalists during their campus visits. No action will be taken at these meetings.