The University is home to one of the best literary journals in the nation, and it is currently searching for a new editor.
The Southern Review has been an important entity of the University since early in the 20th century.
While the well-known journal is independently recognized, its main office is housed in Allen Hall and the editor traditionally comes out of the University’s English Department.
James Olney, the current editor, is retiring in December after 20 years at the Southern Review.
The journal, which is produced four times a year, has subscribers all over the United States and in every part of the world, Olney said. It incudes creative writing with a national and international focus.
John Easterly, associate editor, said the Southern Review is one of the top six literary journals in the country and is recognized worldwide.
Olney’s retirement will leave the editor position open and Interim Provost Laura Lindsay has chosen a five-member search committee to interview and meet with candidates to fill the position.
The search committee, which Lindsay appointed last fall, consists of Joseph Kronick, James Wilcox, Peggy Prenshaw, Gaines Foster and Nathaniel Wing.
Kronick, who is the committee chairman, said the committee has narrowed its search down to two candidates.
The remaining candidates are Wyatt Prunty, a professor at the University of the South in Tennessee, and Susan Donaldson, a professor at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
Lindsay said the University has invited Prunty and Donaldson back to campus next week for additional meetings and interviews.
Kronick said so far the potential candidates have met with the provost, made a presentation to the English Department and presented their vision for the journal during various meetings with the search committee.
Easterly said the committee is searching for a creative writer or scholar with a “very broad perspective of the current writing scene.”
Lindsay said both candidates are highly qualified and would do a great job, but she is looking for the person who can continue to improve the rich tradition and prestige of the paper.
Olney and Kronick said the provost will hopefully make a decision in the next few weeks after the committee makes a formal recommendation.