Five Candidates for Plattsburgh State President to Visit Campus

November 10, 2003

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ While the first of five candidates for the position of president of Plattsburgh State University of New York is scheduled to come to campus Thursday Nov. 13 for two days of meetings with faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community, the chair of the search committee is encouraging participation by the community at the planned open forums.

Robert Garrow said the committee was pleased with the five candidates selected for campus visits.

"Since the start of this search, I personally have been very pleased with the candidacy pool," said Garrow. "I know that the search committee members feel we have selected some top notch individuals to bring to campus."

Garrow encouraged members of the community to attend the open forums scheduled.

"The open forums are a great opportunity for members of the community - business, civic, education, government - to meet the five candidates," said Garrow. "Each individual will express their own reasons for wanting to lead Plattsburgh State and answer questions from those in attendance. We are looking for feedback from the community-at-large, so I would encourage everyone to attend."

The first candidate for the position of president is Dr. Leslie Wong, the vice president for academic affairs at Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D.

Wong will meet with various groups on campus throughout the two days of meetings. He will also answer questions at an open forum on Thursday (Nov. 13) from 4:15 to 6 p.m. in the Hyman and Frances Krinovitz Recital Hall in Hawkins Hall. This forum is open to the general public, faculty, staff and alumni.

Students are also being encouraged to participate in the selection process. An open forum for Student Association leaders and the student body is planned for Thursday beginning at 8 p.m.

Wong has served in his current position since 1999. He began his academic career as a psychology instructor at Pierce College in Tacoma, Wash. in 1974.

Wong accepted an appointment as a member of the faculty as Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Wash., in 1988. He was promoted to academic dean in 1990 and served in that position for the next six year until he was named provost and academic vice president at the University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Colo. in 1996. In January 1997, he was also appointed interim president for six months while the governing board searched for a new president.

Wong hold a bachelor's of arts degree in psychology from Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash.), a master's in experimental psychology from Eastern Washington University (Cheney, Wash.) and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Washington State University (Pullman, Wash.)

Wong's visit will be followed by four other individuals who will also come to campus during November and December. While the name of the last candidate to interview Dec. 3 and 4 is being withheld until later this month, the three other individuals are: