MSU committee hopes to find new president quickly

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri State University committee wants the school to have a new leader by the next academic year.

The presidential search committee is seeking a replacement for Mike Nietzel, who has announced he plans to resign once his successor is picked.

Nietzel says he's willing to work as president through the end of 2010 to give the university time to conduct a thorough search.

The MSU Board of Governors has hired Dallas consultant Bill Funk for $90,000 to assist with the search. Funk says the committee can expect to have 40 to 60 candidates by the end of March.

The committee plans to start screening candidates in April.