By Becca Clemons

The Presidential Search Committee has chosen a search firm to help find the next president of the University of Kentucky.

The committee voted during its second meeting Friday to hire Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., a Florida executive search firm, to conduct the search for UK’s 12th president. President Lee T. Todd Jr. is retiring at the end of the academic year.

Greenwood/Asher is the same firm used to assist in the search for Todd. Todd has served as UK president since 2001.

The cost of hiring the firm has not been decided, as a contract has not yet been written.

Also at the meeting, the committee discussed a position announcement that will be used to attract candidates via job postings and will outline qualifications an ideal candidate would possess. The committee planned to revise and discuss the announcement again Nov. 14.

The committee cited issues such as scholarly experience, awareness of athletics and strong leadership skills as being potential qualifications to be included in the announcement.

Also discussed at the meeting was the need to get statewide input into the selection process, but the details for obtaining that goal will be decided at a later date.