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Penn State President Eric Barron names committee to search for next athletic director [Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) :: ](Centre Daily Times (State College, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 26--Penn State President Eric Barron has named the members of the screening committee that will help him find the university's next athletic director. Dave Joyner announced last week his plans to retire from the position in August, and Penn State said it would begin a national search to find his successor. Barron previously announced that the search committee would be led by senior vice president for finance and business David Gray, but Penn State's president announced Thursday a number of others who will serve: --Linda Caldwell, Penn State's faculty athletics representative to the NCAA and distinguished professor of recreation, park and tourism management and of human development and family studies; --Julie Del Giorno, athletics integrity officer; --Charmelle Green, associate athletics director and senior female administrator in the department of intercollegiate athletics; --Robert Pangborn, vice president and dean for undergraduate education; --Tom Poole, vice president for administration; and --Coquese Washington, Penn State Lady Lions basketball coach. The university said in a statement that the committee will begin reviewing applications and nominations immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Penn State didn't provide a timeline in the statement, but it said that, for best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of application by July 18. Barron, in a previous interview with the Centre Daily Times, laid out some qualities he wants to see in candidates for the job. He and his team will look for someone who can maintain and enhance the financial standing of the athletics department; play a role in fundraising and marketing of the university generally and athletics specifically; handle litigation-related issues that arise; ensure students are successful in the classroom and on the field; handle compliance issues; lead contract negotiations with coaches; and lead a department that wins with integrity. "You need someone who is good not only at reading the landscape, but someone who is an innovator and leader, " Barron said. "That's what Penn State should have, and this is what I have in mind." The position is part of the president's council and the hire will be expected to be a visible leader, he said. "That means someone who is expected to be involved not just in the handling of issues in the area of athletics, but who also will participate in the discussions of the major issues facing the university," Barron said. "This has to be someone who knows what they're doing with athletics, but who is part of the larger team and can work with other individuals as they intersect with athletics." Matt Carroll can be reached at 231-4631. Follow him on Twitter @MCarrollNews. ___ (c)2014 the Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) Visit the Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) at www.centredaily.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |