WVU Faculty Senate: We Want Nellis

West Virginia University's Faculty Senate has endorsed M. Duane Nellis over Mike Garrison as the state's largest public university prepares to select its next president, The Associated Press is reporting.

The AP's Vicki Smith counts today's vote as 47-5 with two abstentions.

Smith also notes that though it was an emergency meeting, the turnout (54 of 114 senate members) is considered typical for regular meetings.

"The qualities the Faculty Senate demanded were 'visionary leadership with global perspective,' a proven ability to lead a large organization with many constituencies, and an ability to attract and recruit nationally and globally recognized scholars," the AP story said,

Student Body President David Kirkpatrick and Vice President Jason Parsons, meanwhile, endorsed Garrison as "the best choice to lead WVU into the future," Smith reports.

MetroNews was also on hand for the faculty vote.

Nellis worked with the faculty as dean of WVU's Eberly College of Arts and Sciences for seven years, before taking his current post as Kansas State University provost.

Garrison, former Higher Education Policy Commission chairman and Wise Administration official, answered questions from faculty, students and staff during separate forums at the Morgantown campus yesterday.

WVU's Board of Governors is scheduled to choose the new president on Friday.