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Friday, February 04, 2000
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Harter's shot at new post waning
UNLV's chief won't say whether she wanted to go to Washington State, but the answer may be moot.
By Natalie Patton
Review-Journal
Washington State University regents have zeroed in on a Tennessean in their search for a new leader, which reduces any chance UNLV President Carol Harter may have had for the job.
Harter has been quiet about her plans since her name showed up in January on a Florida university's list of presidential semifinalists. She since withdrew from the University of South Florida search and has said her career plans are her personal business.
Three weeks ago, Harter did not deny talk circulating among Nevada higher education officials that she was a contender for the Washington State job.
"I'm not responding to that," she said at the time. "Rumors abound in these situations, and it's funny. Last year I was going to Tennessee, and then it turned into Kentucky."
Harter did not return a phone call Thursday afternoon, when Washington State officials announced University of Memphis President V. Lane Rawlins is the only candidate who will be invited to meet with the Pullman, Wash., school's faculty, students and supporters.
Washington State spokesman Hugh Imhof said search committee members and regents remained tight-lipped about the candidates who did not make Thursday's cut. "They haven't even revealed them to me," Imhof said.
In a news release, Regent Peter Goldmark, who is leading the Washington State search, said Rawlins' qualifications are of such a high caliber that he stands far above others considered for the job.
"The pool of candidates is very well-qualified, but Lane Rawlins is by far the most impressive," Goldmark said. "We think he will be an excellent fit for this university, and now we want to let the WSU community get to know him."
Rawlins, a native of neighboring Idaho, is already familiar with Washington State. He joined the economics faculty in 1968 and later served as chairman of the department of economics for five years. He was vice provost from 1982 to 1986.
Rawlins has led the University of Memphis since 1991.
Harter has been president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 1995.
She said in January she became interested in possible work elsewhere partially because she has been living apart from her husband, Mike Harter, who works as an administrator at Sacramento State University in California. She also said any working professional should take time to see what opportunities are available.
One of Harter's top supporters, Nevada Board of Regents Chairwoman Jill Derby, said she hopes Mike Harter applies for an open health-care coordinator position for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Derby said Mike Harter would not be handed the job without participating in a search.
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