Ross, who was vice president of Finance and Administrative Services at CMU from December 2002 to March 2007, was named the 14th CMU president Thursday at the Board of Trustees meeting. He currently serves as Alcorn State University’s president.

Ross’ contract is not yet finalized, but Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said Ross will have a salary of $350,000 with a $50,000 signing bonus.

Ross will begin his position March 1, 2010, and is planning to leave Alcorn State in early February.

“For George Ross, the kid from rural Mississippi and Flint Northern High School, this is absolutely the signal honor in my career,” Ross said. “I want you all to know that I accept it with humility.”

The presidential search committee was formed in April after former university president Michael Rao announced his resignation Feb. 20 to become president of Virginia Commonwealth University.

See more photos • George Ross named 14th CMU President

By the first week of October, 68 candidates submitted applications to succeed Rao. That was narrowed down to eight by the next week and, by the beginning of November, the committee conducted interviews. The committee narrowed the search to its top four candidates Nov. 9.

On Nov. 16, the committee interviewed the remaining four candidates. On Nov. 20, the 13-member committee made the decision to present Ross as their top presidential choice to the rest of the Board, said Trustee Stephanie Comai, committee chairwoman.

“It was so clear to us that we had such a qualified candidate,” she said. “I think he is a true leader. He builds teams. He builds the university and everyone involved.”

Ross said he is humbled by the appointment and it is a responsibility he will take seriously. He wants to make sure he is open and transparent.

“Not only (will I) hit the ground running, but hit the ground listening,” Ross said.

Transitioning back to CMU

At the first of the year, Ross hopes to form a transition team.

He said he will talk to many different groups within the time of his transition.

“I bring no preconceived notion about Central Michigan University, even though I have a history here. I think it is important that I come to this campus and listen to the constituents of this campus,” he said. “I need to hear about your dreams and aspirations for Central Michigan University. And I need to share mine. And I’m going to get that collective feedback from across this campus.”

His main interest at CMU is that he shares a common set of values — student learning and faculty engagements for scholarship.

“I saw that in my first tenure here. It intrigued me. And when the opportunity came up, I just thought that in this point of time and in the history of this university ... I saw this as a good fit,” he said.

Board of Trustees Chairwoman Gail Torreano said it was very clear that Ross was a man who had very high standards and faces decisions head on.

“His commitment of high academic standards is quite clear for all the time I’ve known him,” Torreano said. “He had integrity and standards that are really hard to find today. With George, you get it, it’s right there, and you know it.”

Interim University President Kathy Wilbur will return to her position as vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs after Ross takes his position.

Facing the economy

Dealing with the economy as a university president is nothing new for Ross.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour recently proposed merging Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State into Jackson State University in an effort to cut budget costs. According to several reports, Ross questioned the move’s effectiveness and wants ASU to remain independent.

Being a president at a Michigan university in a struggling economy will not be an easy task, either. Ross said he is going to rely on a team effort to make the best decisions possible for CMU.

State appropriations continue to dwindle, which has to be compensated by higher tuition rates, Ross said.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do in the coming year about tuition. There’s going to be pressure to raise it,” Ross said. “But I am determined as best I can be that student access and affordability are high on my radar. Because if you don’t give opportunities, students won’t succeed. We’ve got to find a way to make this place more accessible.”

Ross knows the university will have to deal with the economic trials, but he does not want that to be the main focus. He wants discussions instead to be about transforming the lives of the students and moving forward as an academic institution.

“We have to make decisions and deal with the economy. We’re not going to cut, cut, cut,” he said. “Because we cannot afford to decimate programs across the board. Sometime, the economy will recover and we have to be in a position to take advantage of that.”

Ross looks at the recession as an opportunity to make decisions that might not be made otherwise, but they have to be academic-based, he said.