PSU search may end in Nebraska

By ERIN STROUT
Collegian Staff Writer

The University of Nebraska took the national football championship from the Nittany Lions, but Penn State might be stealing Nebraska's chancellor for its next University president.

Andrew Loudon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln student body president and student regent, confirmed yesterday that Nebraska Chancellor Graham Spanier will be in Hershey today for the Penn State University Board of Trustees meeting.

One finalist will be presented to the Board of Trustees today for the position of University president, said Roger Williams, assistant vice president and executive director of University relations. At a special meeting at 1:30 p.m., the board will vote on the candidate.

Although Williams would not confirm or deny any information about the name of the candidate, Loudon said Spanier will be present for the meeting.

"I know for a fact he will be there tomorrow," Loudon said yesterday.

Spanier was a finalist for the presidential spot at the University of Washington in Seattle, Loudon said.

"I heard he declined the University of Washington, because he had a good idea he was going to get the Penn State position," Loudon said.

Penn State started the search for its next president following current University President Joab Thomas' retirement announcement in May. A search and screen committee, comprised of students and faculty, sifted through about 200 applications and nominations before handing a list of 10 to 15 names to the trustee presidential selection committee.

The selection committee narrowed the list down to one, and the new president will start on Aug. 31, when Thomas' retirement begins.

If Spanier is confirmed as the next president, he might be a familiar face to some University faculty and administrators. Spanier was a professor of human development and sociology from 1973 to 1982 and an associate dean for the College of Health and Human Development from 1979 to 1982.

Loudon said Spanier's strength at Nebraska lies in academics, but he is also known as a liberal individual who pushes an aggressive social agenda.

"He very much focuses on affirmative action and a pro-homosexual agenda," Loudon said.

Loudon, who used to live in New Castle, Pa., said Nebraska and Pennsylvania have comparable social atmospheres, and Spanier might be considered liberal at Penn State as well.

"Watch out for his social agenda and make sure he doesn't make it a priority over academics," Loudon said.