The search committee to select the next president of Missouri Western State University will hold its first meeting next week.

The committee is seeking to replace Dr. Robert Vartabedian, who has announced his plans to retire on July 1, 2019, after 11 years as Missouri Western’s president.

According to a press release, the meeting is open to the public and will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the Blum Student Union Private Dining Room.

The search committee is comprised of Board of Governors members, students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members. The 23 members include:

Board of Governors: Dave Liechti, Al Purcell, Debbie Smith, Student Governor Paul Granberry III

Students: Austen Hall

Faculty: Dr. Mike Cadden, Dr. Jennifer Hegeman, Dr. Mark Mills, Dr. Dan Shepherd

Administrators: Josh Looney, Carey McMillian, Latoya Muhammad, Dr. Bob Willenbrink

Staff: Kathy Kelly, Fred Nesslage

Community Members: Drew Brown, Pete Gray, Todd Meierhoffer, Charlie Shields, Kylee Strough, Julee Thompson, Bob Wollenman and Seth Wright

Meetings of the presidential search committee will be posted as public meetings, but portions of meetings may be closed under exemptions authorized by the Missouri Sunshine law.