The UCF committee in charge of selecting the university's next president chose four finalists Friday.

The finalists are:

  • Suresh Garimella, Ph.D., executive vice president for research and partnerships, Purdue University
  • Mark Kennedy, MBA, president, University of North Dakota
  • Dale Whittaker, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president, University of Central Florida
  • Matthew Wilson, J.D., president, University of Akron

The Presidential Search Committee interviewed the eight semifinalists Thursday.

The four finalists will visit the University of Central Florida campus to meet with faculty, alumni, donors and students and will give a public presentation. Those are scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon March 2, 6, 7 and 8, though it's to be determined which finalist will present on which day. The forums will be in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. Attendees will be allowed to provide feedback and ask questions.

More information each of the four candidates can be found on UCF's presidential search page.

UCF's Board of Trustees will then choose a president-elect March 9. The Florida Board of Governors will then vote on that selection March 28 or 29.

The university's fifth president will replace John C. Hitt, who began his tenure a quarter-century ago. He's set to retire effective June 30.