Northwest Missouri State University hasn’t needed a presidential search committee for 25 years. But one was established Wednesday as the university’s governing board looks to hire a new president next summer.

Dr. Dean Hubbard, who began his leadership of Northwest in 1984, announced his retirement in June. He will leave office in July 2009.

Seven of the eight members of the board of regents decided on a selection committee of no more than 13 people to work with a private firm to find the next leader. During the two-hour meeting at the KCI Marriott, board members discussed which facets of the university and community should be included in the committee.

At least three regents stressed keeping the number of people on the selection committee at 11 to 13. Two previous presidential search committees at Northwest included 15 and 18 members.

Regent Rita Hanks pushed to have at least four members of the faculty on the committee. Ultimately the board voted in favor of three members from the faculty, three from the board of regents, two alumni, two staff members. One person from the community of Maryville, one Northwest student, and one of Northwest’s senior administration will be a part of the committee.

Each group will be responsible for electing their people to the committee, however, the Student Senate president will most likely serve as representative for the students.

The approval will be official in 10 business days, but only if no further arguments are made to amend the list, at which time a telephone conference will be held to finalize and discuss and approve the selection committee.

Regent Bill Loch, president of the board, was voted 6-1 as the chairman of the selection committee. Doug Sutton is the second regent on the committee. A third will be selected later.

The search for a new president is projected to take no more than six months.

Jimmy Myers can be reached

at jimmym@npgco.com.