Third candidate for UVa-Wise chancellorship to visit campus June 27-28

The third of four finalists for the chancellorship of The University of Virginia's College at Wise will visit the campus on June 27-28.

"All four of these individuals are outstanding. They are all tremendously credentialed in their educational backgrounds," said James M. Gott, who chairs the Chancellor Search Committee. "All have come up through the ranks from teaching to serve as deans and in the upper levels of administration."

The third candidate, David J. Prior, has served as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Superior since 2002. Prior and his wife, Merry Lu, will spend two days in Wise meeting with faculty, staff, students, and members of the UVa-Wise Board.

An open forum with staff will be held at 11 a.m. on June 27 in the Chapel of All Faiths. An open faculty forum follows at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of All Faiths and an open forum for students will take place at 2:15 p.m. in the Honor Court Room of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center. The public is invited to attend the open sessions.

"We realize that we're bringing these candidates on campus at a difficult time for everyone because of summer schedules," Gott said. "However, we really encourage as much participation as possible in the open forums."

Gott said the Search Committee is optimistic a new chancellor will be in place by the start of the fall semester. "We expect within a week after all visits are concluded the search committee, with approval from the UVa-Wise Board, will send a name or names to University of Virginia President John T. Casteen and the Board of Visitors for their consideration," Gott said.

One additional candidate visit is being scheduled for early July.

David J. Prior

The author of more than 100 research publications, Prior is a scholar and former professor of biology. He has been a postdoctoral fellow in neurobiology at Princeton University and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellow.

Before his current position at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Prior served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater from 1998 to 2002, as the dean of graduate studies and research at Northern Michigan University from 1995 to 1998, and as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Arizona University from 1992 to 1995. Prior also served at Northern Arizona University as the chair of the Department of Biology from 1987 to 1992.