One of the three chancellor finalists has withdrawn his name from candidacy.
Nancy Young, media relations director for Winston-Salem State, confirmed that Harry Williams, president of Delaware State, is no longer a candidate.
The News Argus unable to reach Williams for comment.
Before publication, The News Argus, was unable to obtain the date Williams withdrew.
The names of the three were “leaked” to the Winston-Salem Journal Aug. 23.
According to the Winston-Salem Journal Nov. 7 issue,
Vice Chairman of WSSU’s Board of Trustees Vic Johnson was accused of leaking the names to the media.
The Committee of University Governance of the UNC board of governors voted to recommend that Johnson be removed from his position.
Joan MacNeill, the chairwoman of the committee, said Johnson breached his confidentiality agreement in violation of state law that he signed as a member of the committee tasked with finding a replacement for Chancellor Donald Reaves.
Reaves announced in March that he would retire Dec. 31 after serving seven years in that position.
The two reamaining finalists, as of Sept. 20, were Virginia Hardy, vice chancellor of student affairs at East Carolina University; and Elwood Robinson, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cambridge College in Massachusetts.
The three finalists were selected from a pool of 29 applicants by the Winston-Salem State Board of Trustees. BOT recommended the candidates to the president of UNC System, Tom Ross.
Ross will meet with his senior administrators and make recommendations to the UNC Board of Governors; BOG will then vote on Ross’ recommendation.
BOG met at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. Sept. 12.
Joni Worthington said the WSSU chancellor search was not an agenda item during that meeting. The Argus corresponded with Worthington via email.
Worthington is vice president of communications for the UNC System.
“As is our normal protocol, president Ross will not make any public comments about chancellor candidates or potential candidates until he makes his recommendation to the UNC Board of Governors,” Worthington said.
The News Argus was unable to confirm when the new chancellor will be selected.
SGA President Olivia Sedwick said that she met with the three candidates and was impressed.
“I think all of the candidates are qualified to carry on the [WSSU] legacy,” Sedwick said.
Katrina Q. Robinson
Editor-in-Chief
@krobinson110