UND's No. 2 guy again is a finalist for president at another university. But Greg Weisenstein, provost and vice president, says he's not looking as much as being looked at.
Weisenstein found out last week he's one of the final four being considered to replace Jerilyn McIntyre, who is retiring at the end of the year as president of Central Washington University.
He will spend Thursday through Saturday on the campus in Ellensburg, Wash., to meet and greet faculty, administrators and students, he said.
It's the sixth college president job Weisenstein has been a top contender for in the past 18 months or so.
He was one of six semifinalists to head Valdosta (Ga.) State University this past spring but didn't make the final three. He's also been a finalist or top contender for presidencies at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City.
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Recent promotion
Weisenstein has been at UND for four years and just was elevated by new President Robert Kelley to the No. 2 spot on campus; he's in charge when Kelley is out of town.
Weisenstein says headhunters are looking for him, and he's not eager to leave.
"People, if they are going to move up in higher education, will need to make a move, regardless of how happy they are at the institutions they are at."
He's got personal connections to CWU. "I was born in between Seattle and Tacoma in the Puget Sound area, and my father was raised about 20 miles from Ellensburg, where Central Washington University is located. My daughter graduated from the institution, as did several of my cousins."
Weisenstein and his wife, Sandra, have two daughters and a son.
He emphasized that he has many reasons not to leave UND, including a warm personal relationship with his new boss, and is not suddenly searching for a new job.
"As a matter of fact, it's just the opposite. I have a lot of confidence in Bob Kelley as UND's president; I have enjoyed very much working with him," Weisenstein said Monday. "As a matter of fact, the new president will certainly be a factor in my decision about future employment any place beyond UND."
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He's contacted twice or more times a month by search firms asking if he's interested in a presidential position, an occupational reality for successful provosts at successful universities, he said.
"It's no indication that I am dissatisfied with the institution, the new president or the community. There are all things that are strong incentives to me to stay right where I'm at."
Reach Lee at (701) 780-1237; (800) 477-6572, ext. 237; or send e-mail to slee@gfherald.com
