There's already a long list of nominees to fill the opening for dean of Kansas University's School of Law, U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran said Thursday.
Moran, a KU law graduate and member of the search committee, was in Lawrence on Thursday for the group's first meeting.
A 12-member team is leading the search for a successor to Steve McAllister, who announced in January he would step down and return to teaching after serving about five years in the post.
Moran, a Hays Republican, said there is a long list of "nominees" and "a shorter list of candidates" who have expressed interest in the job, which he said has only been advertised for a week.
The law school serves about 500 students with 30 full-time faculty members.
McAllister's last day on the job is Monday, when he returns to being a full-time professor. Mike Davis, a law professor and former law school dean, will lead the school until a full-time replacement is named.
Moran said the ideal candidate would have strong academic credentials, fundraising skills, the ability to communicate with state policymakers and enough luster to "enhance the reputation" of the law school.
"So much of what a dean does is fundraising," the Hays Republican said.
He said he also was advocating for someone with "a Kansas feel."
He said that wouldn't necessarily require a Kansas native, but "probably someone from the Midwest or someone who has ties to Kansas. For example, someone who has clerked for Judge Tacha."
Deanell Tacha, of Lawrence, is a strong KU backer and judge on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The dean application deadline is Sept. 30.
"I would expect the next three or four weeks will be a pretty busy time for applications to be coming in," said John Head, a professor and search committee member.
Moran said the committee would winnow the list to five potential finalists "for further interview" by the end of October.
Sandra Gautt, vice provost for faculty development, said the committee hopes to be near the end of the process at the end of the first semester or start of the next.
The committee also includes Ann Brill, Teresa Kopsa, Stacy Leeds, Rick Levy, Sandra McKenzie, Joyce Pearson, John Peck, Karla Williams and Marshon Robinson.
- Staff writer Terry Rombeck contributed to this report.
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