CEDAR FALLS - The University of Northern Iowa announced today that the current search for an executive vice president and provost has been closed, and a new search will begin.

"The search committee was very thorough and did an excellent job of finding candidates for this position," said UNI President Ben Allen. "Unfortunately, we didn't end up with an executive vice president and provost."

According to Allen, a new search committee will be named immediately and a new search process will begin as soon as possible.

"Our goal is to have our new executive vice president and provost named before the spring 2009 semester begins," explained Allen.

Finalists for the position were Donald G. Nieman, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Bowling Green State University; Lance R. Grahn, dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point; and Susan L. Carlson, associate provost for faculty advancement and diversity at Iowa State University.

James Lubker, former dean of the UNI College of Humanities and Fine Arts, will continue to serve in an interim position. He has held that post since 2005, when Aaron Podolefsky left UNI to become the president of Central Missouri State University.