The search for a dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is now unclear after the withdrawal of one of the two finalists.

Dr. Murel Jones, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Elizabeth City State University, was named a finalist along with Dr. Greg Straughn, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Jones was invited to ACU to interview for the position of dean, but withdrew as a candidate before the interview.

Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost, said there was nothing negative about his withdrawal from the position, rather both Jones and the search committee mutually agreed it was for the best.

“He was very positive about ACU, and we were very positive about him,” Rhodes said. “But in talking it through we thought it was probably best if we go ahead and not have him spend the time on campus which would allow the committee time to talk about moving forward.”

The search committee will now meet with Rhodes to give its recommendation of how to proceed with the search. The committee might choose to find new candidates or to close the search. Members of the committee, which is chaired by Dr. Carly Dodd, include Nil Santana, Dr. Vernon Williams, Dr. Cindy Roper, Dr. Beatriz Walker, Dawne Swearingen-Meeks, Dr. Mel Hailey, Dr. Brian Cavitt and Rachel Team.

This is Straughn’s second time to serve as interim dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. He said he believes his previous work as interim provost and in the music department has prepared him for the position of dean.

“Getting the Arts and Sciences department chairs together is like getting the brain trust together,” Straughn said. “It’s so broad that I would not expect opinions to be homogenous – they are not. What I do find is that we all support the mission of the university, and the fact that people do that in so many different ways is pretty impressive. I’ve loved that opportunity.”