SEMO announces two of four candidates in presidential search

The names of two candidates in the presidential search at Southeast Missouri State University were announced Wednesday, with the remaining two finalists to be announced Friday.

Margaret E. Madden and Paul D. Plotkowski will be on campus next week for tours, meetings, interviews and public forums.

Madden, who will be at Southeast on Monday and Tuesday, has served as provost and vice president of academic affairs for the State University of New York at Potsdam since 2002.

From February to March 2006, Madden served as acting president of the college, with full authority, during a period between departure of a past president and the starting date of the successor.

She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 1975, then earned a master's degree and doctorate in psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and 1982.

Paul Plotkowski

Plotkowski, who will be on campus Wednesday and Thursday, is a founding dean and professor at Padnos College of Engineering and Computing at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

From 1991 to 2004, when he began his current position, he was a director and professor at the school of engineering, where he taught courses in statics, machine design, engineering co-op preparation, engineering measurement and data analysis.

Plotkowski earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1981 at Oakland University, and in 1984, he earned a doctorate in systems engineering.

More information on the candidates, as well as their interview itineraries, can be found at semo.edu/presidentialsearch.

Southeast President Kenneth Dobbins announced his intention to retire Sept. 8, and his last day will be June 30. Forty-six candidates applied for the position.

After reviewing questionnaires and curriculum vitae, the Presidential Search and Screening Committee at the university selected 10 candidates to interview in St. Louis, and then invited four to campus interviews.

University officials said they hope to announce Dobbins' successor by the middle of March, if not sooner.

klamb@semissourian.com

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