Carolyn Long, superintendent of Braxton County schools, would make an ideal leader for the West Virginia University Board of Governors, one BOG member said.

"That is who I would say is the leading candidate," the board member said.

The BOG member did not wish to be identified, citing Chairman Steve Goodwin's role as spokesman. Goodwin indicated this spring that he would not seek a third term as BOG chairman, but would remain on the board until his term expires in 2010.

Long did not return a phone message seeking comment.

WVU spokeswoman Janey Cink also referred questions to Goodwin, who did not respond to messages asking about the search for an interim president at WVU or who might replace him as chairman.

Cink released one brief statement where Goodwin had responded to a previous media inquiry.

"The BOG has said that hiring an interim president is a top priority, and it remains so. As relevant information becomes available in the coming weeks and months ahead, we will share it with the university community," Goodwin said in the statement.

The Board of Governors faces at least two, possibly three vacancies July 1 and must search for both an interim and permanent university president. President Mike Garrison will step down Sept. 1 in the wake of the controversy surrounding WVU's decision to award an unearned master's degree to Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter last fall.

BOG member Curtis "Hank" Barnette, chairman emeritus of Bethlehem Steel Corp., is not eligible for reappointment as his term expires this year. BOG Vice Chairman Robert Wells, a partner with the Bailey & Glasser law firm in Washington, D.C., has asked that Manchin not reappoint him this year.

Wells, who served with Garrison on WVU's student government, is a friend of the outgoing president.

BOG member Steve Farmer, an attorney with Farmer, Cline & Campbell in Charleston, is eligible for reappointment.

Carolyn Long, superintendent of Braxton County schools, would make an ideal leader for the West Virginia University Board of Governors, one BOG member said.

"That is who I would say is the leading candidate," the board member said.

The BOG member did not wish to be identified, citing Chairman Steve Goodwin's role as spokesman. Goodwin indicated this spring that he would not seek a third term as BOG chairman, but would remain on the board until his term expires in 2010.

Long did not return a phone message seeking comment.

WVU spokeswoman Janey Cink also referred questions to Goodwin, who did not respond to messages asking about the search for an interim president at WVU or who might replace him as chairman.

Cink released one brief statement where Goodwin had responded to a previous media inquiry.

"The BOG has said that hiring an interim president is a top priority, and it remains so. As relevant information becomes available in the coming weeks and months ahead, we will share it with the university community," Goodwin said in the statement.

The Board of Governors faces at least two, possibly three vacancies July 1 and must search for both an interim and permanent university president. President Mike Garrison will step down Sept. 1 in the wake of the controversy surrounding WVU's decision to award an unearned master's degree to Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter last fall.

BOG member Curtis "Hank" Barnette, chairman emeritus of Bethlehem Steel Corp., is not eligible for reappointment as his term expires this year. BOG Vice Chairman Robert Wells, a partner with the Bailey & Glasser law firm in Washington, D.C., has asked that Manchin not reappoint him this year.

Wells, who served with Garrison on WVU's student government, is a friend of the outgoing president.

BOG member Steve Farmer, an attorney with Farmer, Cline & Campbell in Charleston, is eligible for reappointment.

The BOG member who asked not to be identified heard that Manchin plans to appoint at least two new members, each with a "national reputation" and ties to West Virginia.

"I cannot tell you where he is in the final process for the WVU Board of Governors," said Manchin spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg.

Ramsburg said the governor hopes to make those appointments by July 1.

"We have hundreds of boards that the governor's responsible for," she said.

Still, she said, Manchin recognizes the extra attention given to the search for new BOG appointees at WVU, and said the search is one of his top priorities.

"He's looking for people who have not only established themselves through their lives or passions or through their careers but also [have] a love and a passion for West Virginia and WVU," Ramsburg said. "He's been consistent in always wanting to find people with some passion for our state, some understanding of our state."

The board member indicated that the BOG has not formed a search committee for a permanent president at WVU. Also, the BOG member is not yet certain how the Board of Governors might handle the search for an interim president.

"The very nature of interim appointments implies a need for flexibility in the appointment process," WVU psychology professor Michael Perone wrote in an e-mail. "I think it would be inappropriate to demand that the Board of Governors follow any particular set of procedures."

Perone is vice chairman of Mountaineers for Integrity and Responsibility, a grass-roots organization at WVU whose members have pushed for Garrison's resignation and legislative changes to the Board of Governors' makeup.

"I do believe, however, that the Board should weigh heavily the concerns raised by the faculty about Mr. Garrison's qualifications. The Board should appoint a person with respected credentials and experience in higher education," Perone wrote. "To do that, I would strongly encourage the board to consult with key leaders on campus - the various academic deans on the downtown campus and Health Sciences Center, provosts and associate provosts, the interim VP of Health Sciences, and [representatives] of the Faculty Senate."

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.