COCHRAN FINALIST FOR PRESIDENCY IN OHIO

Southeast Missouri State University Provost Leslie Cochran is one of three finalists for the position of president of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.

The other two are Janet Greenwood, former president of the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Conn., and H. Ray Hoops, vice chancellor of the University of Mississippi.

The three finalists were chosen by a search committee from 86 applicants in late February.

The search committee is now in the process of holding two-day interviews with each of the finalists, said Ellen Brooks, Youngstown State's news editor.

Cochran was interviewed on the Youngstown campus Thursday and is scheduled to undergo further interviewing today.

In a telephone interview late Thursday afternoon from Youngstown, Cochran said he was pleased to have been selected as a finalist.

"I think any time you are nominated for a position and people are willing to consider your candidacy that makes you feel good about your candidacy and professional career," he said.

Brooks said the search committee will make a recommendation to the university's Board of Trustees.

Cochran said a final decision on a new president is expected within the next two or three weeks.

The university's current president, Neil D. Humphrey, is scheduled to retire June 30.

Youngstown State University has an enrollment of over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Cochran said the school operates on a budget of $89 million.

"Youngstown is a city of about 100,000," said Cochran, noting that the city is 60 miles from Cleveland and an equal distance from Pittsburgh.

Cochran said the university has many programs similar to those at Southeast. But Youngstown State's largest program is engineering. "I think that would be the most distinctive feature that is different than Southeast."

Youngstown State competes in Division I athletics, and Division I-AA in football. The university's football team won the national Division I-AA football championship last year.

Cochran has headed up the academic division at Southeast since 1980. He was formerly vice provost for academic administration at Central Michigan University.