The four finalists named Wednesday include:

John Strait Applegate, executive vice president for academic affairs, Indiana University

Robert L. Caslen, Jr., senior counsel to the president and interim chief financial officer, University of Central Florida

William F. Tate IV, dean of the graduate school and vice provost for graduate education, Washington University (St. Louis)

Joseph T. Walsh, Jr. vice president for research, Northwestern University

The presidential search is led by an 11-member committee comprised of several members of the university’s Board of Trustees as well as the chair of the Faculty Senate, two professors, the Student Body president, president of the My Carolina Alumni Association and a member of the University Foundations board. Parker Executive Search, a leading global executive search firm based in Atlanta, assisted with identifying top candidates.

University trustee and search committee chairman Hugh Mobley said the goal is to recruit a president dedicated to enhancing classroom education, advancing groundbreaking research, building on the student experience and reaffirming the university’s commitment to serving the state of South Carolina.

“The intense interest in this position speaks highly of the success of our institution during the decade-long leadership of President Pastides as well as the great opportunities that lie ahead,” Mobley said. “With these finalists, we’re confident that the next president will continue to build on our success in educating future leaders while also advancing our mission to serve all the people of South Carolina.”

The four finalists are scheduled to visit the Columbia campus April 22, 23, 24 and 25 for a series of meetings with students, faculty, staff and community leaders. Those attending the forums are encouraged to provide their feedback on candidates. Public comments are due by 8 a.m. on Friday, April 26, when the full board will interview candidates.

Scheduled forums include the following:

Faculty: 10:15 -11:15 a.m., Karen J. Williams Courtroom, School of Law

Students: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Program Room, Ernest F. Hollings Library

Open forum for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Program Room, Ernest F. Hollings Library. This forum will also be live streamed here.