KALA STROUP FINALIST FOR NEW POSITION

Southeast Missouri State University president, Dr. Kala Stroup, is one of five finalists for the job of Missouri's higher education commissioner.

The hiring decision could come June 15, when the nine-member Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education meets at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.

Board member Mary Findley of Poplar Bluff confirmed Wednesday that Stroup is in the running for the job.

She indicated that Stroup has mixed emotions about taking the job. "I will have to say that Dr. Stroup has been rather a reluctant candidate," Findley said. "She has strong ties to SEMO."

Stroup has served as Southeast's president since July 1, 1990. Her annual salary is $121,540.

The higher education commissioner receives a salary of almost $80,000.

The new commissioner will replace Dr. Charles McClain, who is retiring Aug. 31. McClain has served as the state's top higher-education official since 1989. Previously, he served as president of Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville.

A search for a replacement has been under way for about two years.

McClain had planned to step down by fall 1994. But he agreed to stay for another year because the coordinating board was in transition with the appointment of several new members and had failed to settle on a successor.

The search is being conducted by a committee made up of the entire coordinating board, four representatives of higher-education institutions in the state and a representative from the governor's office.

Findley said interviews of the five finalists will be conducted June 9 and 14. Stroup will be interviewed June 14 and a recommendation could be made that day, Findley said.

Since the coordinating board members make up the bulk of the search committee, Findley said the board would likely hire the candidate recommended by the committee.

Chris Sifford of Gov. Mel Carnahan's office said the governor was pleased to have input in the selection of a new commissioner. He said the representative, Jill Friedman, was the liaison between the governor and higher education.

Sifford wouldn't say if the governor was touting one candidate but said the committee is near a decision.

Stroup originally served on the search committee as a representative of the state's public four-year colleges and universities. She subsequently was replaced on the committee and didn't participate in the interviewing of candidates.

Stroup wouldn't comment Wednesday about her candidacy.