Third College Presidential Candidate to Interview Nov. 20-21

Dr. Richard J. Collings, vice chancellor for academic affairs at Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, N.C.), 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. 20) 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. in Room 201, Yokum Communications/Lecture Hall.
 
Collings has served in his current position since as vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University since 1996.
 
He began his academic career in 1975 as a part-time instructor of political science at Tulane University. In 1977, he was appointed professor of political science at Southeast Missouri State University (SMSU). Two years later, he was named chairperson of the political science department before being named assistant provost at SMSU in 1985.
 
Collings was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Kutztown University (Pa.) in 1989 and was later named provost and vice president for academic affairs in 1991.
 
He holds a bachelor's degree in International studies from the University of Louisville, a master's in Latin American studies and a doctorate in political science from  Tulane University. He is also a past participant in the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management.

Collings campus interview will be followed by two other individuals who will also come to campus during the first week of December.

The first candidate, Dr. Leslie Wong, vice president for academic affairs at Valley City State University, N.D., interviewed on campus Nov. 13 - 14. Dr. Robert Golden, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Plattsburgh State, interviewed earlier this week (Nov. 17 and 18.)

Dr. John Ettling, provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, N.D.), will visit Plattsburgh State Dec. 1 and 2. The name of the last candidate to interview Dec. 3 and 4 will be announced next week.

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