After nearly a year, Weber State University is ready to declare its next president.

Well, almost; the presidential search is set to conclude next week. The public finalists were announced today and on Dec. 5, WSU will host a Meet the Finalists event.

At the event, each potential candidate will make an hour-long presentation in Shepherd Union Ballroom C, starting at 1 p.m. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend and offer feedback on each candidate.

Following the Meet the Finalists event, the Board of Regents plans on making the vote the next day, Dec. 6.

Dr. Marek Matyjasik, a member of the Faculty Senate, noted that they wished they had more time for faculty feedback in the selection process this year; however, he also said the Faculty Senate was able to participate in the process this year more than any year prior.

Back on Jan. 18, President Charles K. Wight announced he would be stepping down as WSU President, effective May 1. Following Wight’s announcement, Vice-President for Administrative Services Norm Tarbox assumed the role of Interim President, and WSU created a search committee. By May, the search committee finalized a presidential position announcement, officially opening up the position for applicants.

Officially, the process is set to take eight to 12 months, meaning as long as the president is announced by early January, it will be on time.

“Searches of this caliber inevitably take time, but it’s hard to be patient when we are looking for ongoing leadership. I feel proud of the way VP Norm Tarbox has stepped into the breach and kept WSU on course as we’ve engaged in the search,” Provost Madonne Miner said. “Now it’s time to bring in someone who will help us develop our vision and our goals for the next several years.”

Other members of the Faculty Senate and search committee declined to comment.

WSU outlines a nine-step process for selecting a president. The public announcement of finalists completes step six. After the public announcement, finalists meet with campus constituent groups, including student, faculty and staff; interview with the Board of Regents and the Board of Regents holds a public meeting where they vote on the new president.

Jennifer Greenlee contributed to this piece.