SMU began its search for a new provost today to replace current Provost Paul Ludden, President R. Gerald Turner announced to the SMU community via a university-wide email.

Ludden announced his departure from SMU Feb. 23 in order to search for other opportunities in Wisconsin near his daughter and family. He will continue to serve the Office of the Provost until May 31.

The administration formed a search committee to replace Ludden this spring. The committee is chaired by Al Niemi, dean of the Cox School of Business, and consists of members from all seven schools as well as members from University Central Libraries, Enrollment Services, Student Affairs and the Board of Trustees.

The committee also includes search consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, who has worked on five prior academic searches including the recent Dedman College and Meadows School of the Arts dean searches.

The search committee’s first meeting was held today with “a goal of completing its search during the fall semester,” Turner said in his email.

SMU is asking faculty and staff to share their thoughts about the search process and the qualifications of the next provost to the search committee and Hasselmo on March 25 at two separate open forums.

The Daily Campus will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.