A Georgia State University search committee picked Brooks Keel as one of two finalists Thursday to become the school’s next president.Keel, vice chancellor of Research and Economic Development, visited GSU a couple weeks ago to meet with the committee at what he calls an “airport interview.””I wasn’t looking for another job,” Keel said. “A search firm contacted me about the job.”Keel, who was born and raised in Augusta, Ga., said the job would be a “fantastic opportunity” and a chance to be back in his home state.”It’s going to be a difficult decision to make,” he said. “But I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”Chancellor Michael Martin said Keel is a valuable member of the University.”I’d hate to see him go,” Martin said. “If Brooks sees this as an important move in his career, and that’s what he chooses to do, as his friend[s] and colleague[s], we’ll be very supportive.”Susan Herbst, University System of Georgia executive vice chancellor, said it was terrific to have Keel discuss his future with GSU.”Dr. Keel is absolutely a superb scholar and leader,” Herbst said. “He’s very talented and has the kinds of characteristics we are looking for at Georgia State.”Martin said he gave Keel advice about the decision — “go with instinct.”Martin said he asked Keel, “Before you sign the final deal, I want the opportunity to make one final pitch.”Martin did not say what the pitch might be.The position of GSU president is equivalent to LSU’s chancellor position.GSU, a major research university in downtown Atlanta, is the second-largest university in Georgia with more than 27,000 students.Herbst said the Georgia System is looking for someone with a strong academic background and management skills.”We have two very strong finalists, so the [Georgia System] Board [of Regents] will have to weigh this,” she said. “Both of them are superb. We couldn’t be happier to have had the chance to get to know Dr. Keel.”Herbst said the Georgia System Board of Regents must wait at least 14 days after Thursday to vote on a president, following Georgia law.She said a date for a meeting to specifically vote for a candidate has not been set. The Georgia System Board of Regents has a formal meeting Nov. 10, but she said the board can have an informal vote anytime before that.”The search committee is already done with their work,” Herbst said. “They recommended the candidates to the board, and these are the two finalists they will decide between.”Mark Becker, the second finalist in Georgia State’s search, is the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of South Carolina.
 
 
 
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