The University of Akron may take the interim tag off President Matthew Wilson’s title.
The board of trustees will hold a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to consider hiring Wilson as the school’s 17th president.
Wilson was appointed interim leader in July, following the rocky tenure of former President Scott Scarborough who stepped down after less than two years on the job.
Wilson has made an immediate impact as he has tried to repair strained relationships with students, faculty, alumni and the community while also dealing with declining enrollment and financial problems.
Wilson, 46, had been serving as dean of the law school before being selected for the interim post.
“I need to remind everyone we have the same great university today that we had back in 2014, but over the last couple of years, the glasses got a little bit foggy,” he said earlier this month. “I’ve got a big handkerchief, and I’m wiping off those glasses. We have the same professors, the same phenomenal students, a great alumni base and great support from the community.”
Wilson, who wasn’t available for comment Monday, has endeared himself to the UA community, in part, by being visible on campus. He has helped students move into dorms and has played one-on-one basketball with them.
If hired, he would take over a university with a $358 million general fund budget. UA has 2,060 full-time and 2,409 part-time employees.
His hiring also would mark a significant departure from how the previous president was selected. UA hired the firm R. William Funk and Associates of Dallas to help during the last search process, which ended with the selection of Scarborough.
This time around, the school has not hired a search firm, and it also hadn’t started a national search, UA spokesman Wayne Hill said.
UA Undergraduate Student Government President Megan Bodenschatz and Vice President Sterling Galehouse issued a statement supporting the potential hiring.
“We’re not sure what the board is going to do but as an organization and representatives of the students, we recognize and appreciate what President Wilson has done to help move the university and community forward,” they said. “We would be in full support if the board decides he is the right individual for the job.”
A Utah native, Wilson came to UA in 2014 after serving as professor and associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Wyoming College of Law.
He graduated from the University of Utah with bachelor’s degrees in political science and Asian studies. He obtained his law degree from Temple University.
The trustees also will consider removing the interim tag from Senior Vice President and Provost Rex Ramsier.
The university had started a national search for a new provost but suspended that effort earlier this year.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .