Due to weather conditions that closed the Missouri Southern campus Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Presidential Search Committee was forced to cancel its first meeting, originally scheduled for Feb. 4, since being formally charged.

The committee has been given the goal of finding a president by Nov. 1, 2014, at the latest, so members will look to make up the lost time sooner rather than later. The meeting has not been rescheduled yet, however.

The committee itself is compromised of 15 people involved with Southern, each representing a different faction.

The co-chairs are former Board of Governors’ member Richard Walter and Dr. Sherry Buchanan. Serving alongside them are the following people: Aaron Baker, Missouri Southern alumnus; Rob O’Brien, Joplin resident; Chris D. Churchwell, Southern Foundation; Doug Crandall, Joplin resident; Judy Day, Joplin resident; Raymond Dunaway, student body; Dr. Joy Dworkin, Southern faculty; Jim Fleischaker, Board of Governors; Darren Fullerton, Southern administration; Alicia Hughes, Southern staff; Dr. Charles McGinty, Joplin resident; Dr. Chad Stebbins, Southern faculty; and Mike Wilson, the Lionbackers.