Presidential Search Committee Identifies Finalists for Top Florida Polytechnic University Position

Apr 08, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s Presidential Search Committee identified two finalists for the position of University President during a public meeting this morning, which took place at the University’s administrative office in downtown Lakeland.

The committee, which is comprised of the University’s full Board of trustees, the chair of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board and a representative from the Florida Board of Governors, received applications from or nominations for a total of 44 candidates. After reviewing resumes and nominations during this morning’s meeting, the committee narrowed that list to the following finalists:

  • Randy Avent
    Associate Vice President for Research/Associate Provost
    North Carolina State University
  • Robert McGrath
    Senior Vice President, Director
    Georgia Tech Research Institute

“We were extremely impressed by the pool of candidates for this important position,” said Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee member Don Wilson. “As a brand new state university, dedicated wholly to hands-on, high-tech STEM education, Florida Polytechnic is unique in the world of higher ed. It requires a leader with entrepreneurial vision, proven leadership ability and a commitment to continuously riding the cutting edge of technology. I feel confident we’ll find that combination of attributes among our finalists.”

Finalists will be invited to meet the committee and community members during a meet-and-greet on Sunday, April 13, 2014. The committee will conduct formal interviews with finalists on Monday, April 14, 2014.

Notices of public meetings can be found on the University’s website here: http://staging-floridapoly.kinsta.com/events-archive-board-trustees/.