UNF President John Delaney made the list of 36 individuals the University of Florida’s presidential search committee released Sept. 11 to fill the position of UF’s president.
Janine Sikes, UF’s director of public affairs, said the list contains individuals nominated anonymously by third parties.
It doesn’t mean the person applied for the job, she said.
The list includes Steve Spurrier, a former head coach for UF’s football team, as well as Dean Cannon, Florida’s House speaker.
“This is a very long process that has only just begun,” Sikes said.
The search for UF’s next president was prompted when current UF President Bernie Machen announced his retirement in June.
Soon after, questions arose as to whether Delaney, a UF alumnus, would apply for the job.
“I am a Jacksonville guy, and a UNF guy. All of my four children are here,” said UNF President John Delaney in a June statement to the Spinnaker. “I plan on staying put and have no intention of applying.”
Delaney said even a potential pay upgrade wouldn’t influence his decision in either direction.
“It would be near to doubling, which is a lot of money,” Delaney said. “[But] the salary is not what’s going to make me turn my head.
When stakeholders were reached out to over the past month for qualities the next leader should have, many cited experience in academia and political prowess as highly important, according to meeting notes from the presidential search committee.
“There’s some board members that have talked to me that would love to see me apply,” Delaney said. “Some that have called as recently as a few days ago.”
Although Delaney has not previously expressed any interest in taking the position, he said he avoids saying never.
“You should never say never in business or politics,” Delaney said. “But I don’t think there’s something realistic that they could do.”
The search committee hopes to have the next president selected by the summer of 2013.
Sikes said the committee agreed upon criteria for the position in August, and a subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 13.
Email Catherine Byerly at content@unfspinnaker.com.
