Khayat Resigns

One of Mississippi's largest Universities is losing it's long time leader. MPB's Patty Davis has more on the retirement announcement from University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat.

Surrounded by University employees Tuesday morning, University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat announced his plans to retire on June 30.

" The decision came really after about a year of thinking about it. Then having conversations with my wife and my children and close friends. And this just seemed like the right time to do it"

Over the 14 years Khayat has served as Chancellor, University enrollment has almost doubled, the annual operating budget has tripled, and the endowment and private University support has increased by as much as 300 percent. In September Khayat oversaw preparations for the historic presidential debate between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

" And so I'm hoping that if there's any statement made about what we've done since 1995, it is that we have enhanced the way we are perceived and the way we feel about ourselves".

The state College Board is expected to accept Khayat's retirement request and discuss the university's transition during a Jan. 15 meeting. The College Board has conducted nationwide searches recently, to replace leaders at several state Universities. Board President Amy Whitten says during that time, the process has been refined but the goal remains the same.

"To understand precisely what kind of leadership Ole Miss needs over the next five to ten years and then try to match that skill set up to a candidate".

According to Ole Miss Alumni Association President, Rose Flenorl, that candidate will have big shoes to fill.

"What the Ole Miss Alumni Association hopes is that we will get a person who like Khayat, cared a great deal about the academic reputation of the University. About the research, about our athletic program and about educating Mississippi students. And we know that's the kind of person they will look for, and that's the kind of person we want".

Khayat is a University of Mississippi alum, a former UM Law Professor and has served as Chancellor since 1995. For MPB News, I'm Patty Davis.