The search for a replacement for Kansas State University’s retiring president Jon Wefald took a step forward Wednesday as the Kansas Board of Regents approved a search committee.

In a special teleconference, the regents signed off on an 18-person committee consisting of KSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Manhattan community.

The committee will recommend three to five candidates to the regents.

Wefald, who sat at the helm of KSU for the past 22 years, announced in May that he would retire at the end of the upcoming academic year.

The committee consists of three students, five active faculty members or deans, one classified staff member, two alumni association members, two K-State Foundation trustees, two Manhattan residents and two Regents.

Former regent Nelson Galle will lead the group.

Reginald Robinson, president and CEO of the Board of Regents, said that the regents would select a consultant to aid in the search within the next month and that he hoped the search committee would meet by mid-August.