The search for DePaul’s new provost – who is second-in-command to President Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. – has been narrowed down to four candidates, according DePaul’s Office of the Secretary.

The candidates – Isiaah Crawford, provost at Seattle Univeristy; Donald Pope-Davis, vice president and associate provost at University of Notre Dame; Kevin Stevens, School of Accountancy director at DePaul; and Gary Wihl, former dean of the faculty of arts and sciences at Washington University in St. Louis – were selected from 10 finalists from a pool of 59 applicants. Each candidate will visit DePaul for two days and meet with DePaul President Fr. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., the Faculty Council, and students.

The Provost Search Committee, consisting of DePaul faculty, trustees and SGA President Caroline Winsett, will recommend a new provost at a scheduled board meeting on March 2. The new provost is expected to start July 1.

“I urge the entire community, students in particular, to interact with these candidates while they are on campus and to provide feedback about their experiences with each person,” said Winsett. According to DePaul’s Provost Prospectus, the provost is DePaul’s “chief academic office,” and is “immediately responsible for the intellectual life of the institution, including quality of education, research and service.” The provost is also second in command to Fr. Holtschneider, and is more involved in the day-to-day operations of the university.

The new provost will replace interim provost Patricia O’Donoghue, who replaced Helmut Epp in July 2011. Epp served as DePaul’s provost for seven years before stepping down.

This week, Stevens will meet with staff and students Jan. 14 and 15, and Wihl will visit Jan. 17 and 18.

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Editors Note: The graphic to the right has been edited from how it appeared in the paper to include that Kevin Stevens also has a DBA in Accountancy from the University of Kentucky.