Bet on John D. Sellars

As Drury's new president. Why?

He was among the finalists for the same job at SMS, has a strong record for fund-raising, and was the only male finalist for the Drury position. I don't see the univesity naming a woman as president just now, as much as I'd like them to.

However, the main reason I'm betting on Sellars is that his position as Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement st Syracuse University seems to have been filled. Thomas J. Walsh is now listed in that position on the Chancellor's Cabinet part of the Syracuse U. web site. But Walsh is listed as a vice president on the directory page of the site, where Sellars is still listed as senior vice president.

Thin evidence? Maybe. But KOLR10 learned the name of the new SMS president before it was officially announced by calling the office of each finalist to see if they would be available on the day of the announcement. Only one said no. That was Dr. Michael T. Nietzel, SMSU's ninth president.

Still, another finalist, Janet McNew, provost and dean of the faculty at Illinois Wesleyan, has announced that she will leave that position, effective July 31, 2006, following a one-year sabbatical leave. Of course, that announcement was made April 22nd, so it isn't strong evidence of a move to the Queen City of the Ozarks.