BOARD OF VISITORS RETAINS CONSULTANT FOR PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

The Old Dominion University Board of Visitors has contracted with James R. Fisher of Baltimore, Md., to assist in the identification and screening of potential candidates to succeed James V. Koch as president, board rector Edward L. Hamm Jr. announced today.

Fisher, a former college president, has headed more than 50 presidential searches for colleges and universities across the country, including the one he conducted for Old Dominion in 1989 when Koch was selected. Koch announced last fall that he was stepping down as Old Dominion?s president in the summer of 2001.

In addition to his search duties, Fisher will conduct a detailed institutional review of the university. He performed a similar function for the Old Dominion Board of Visitors in 1989.

Hamm said Fisher's previous work and ongoing knowledge of Old Dominion places him in a unique position to provide timely and comprehensive services to the university. Hamm added that Fisher will serve as a consultant to the board's Presidential Search and Transition Committee until a new president has been successfully recruited.