The Chronicle News Blog: West Virginia U. Ignores Controversy and Picks Garrison as New President
The result is in for one of the most controversial presidential searches in recent years: West Virginia University announced today that Michael S. Garrison would be its next president.
Mr. Garrison, 38, is a local lawyer who earned undergraduate and law degrees from the university. He has held several posts in the state’s capital, most notably as chief of staff to a former governor and as chairman of the Higher Education Policy Commission.
His connections, including alleged ties to current members of the university board, led many critics to charge that the search had been rigged in his favor. The Faculty Senate on Wednesday took the rare step of voting no confidence in him even before he was appointed.
The chairman of the search committee and the university’s governing board defended the search process, which was unusually open. And Mr. Garrison has supporters, including student leaders, faculty members, business executives, and government officials.
Follow
