Posted on December 14, 2001 at 2:30 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A 21-member committee will advise incoming UA System Chancellor Malcolm Portera as he begins the national search for the next president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Portera, who officially assumes the chancellorship January 1, announced the formation of the Search Advisory Committee today. Chaired by Trustee John Russell Thomas of Alexander City and co-chaired by Trustee Richard Scrushy of Birmingham, the group includes representatives from the faculty, staff, student body, the UAB Health System and the UAB National Alumni Society as well as the local community.

“The advisory team we’re announcing today for the presidential search in Birmingham is absolutely outstanding,” Dr. Portera said Friday. “The selection of UAB’s next leader is my number one priority. I am confident the group we have assembled will help identify the best-qualified individuals in the country to guide this great university to new levels of excellence.”

Portera said the committee will begin meeting in early January. “I particularly want to thank Trustee John Thomas for taking on the chairmanship of this vitally important advisory committee. With Trustee Richard Scrushy as co-chair, we could not ask for a better leadership team,” Portera said. “I have assured president pro tem Sid McDonald that our objective is to carry out his request that this search proceed immediately and deliberately over the months ahead.”

“Mack Portera said from day one that he would keep our initial timetable in place with regard to the UAB presidential search,” McDonald said. “The process is in good hands and I am especially pleased with the composition of the committee. Those 21 individuals who have agreed to serve deserve special thanks for their commitment of time and effort.”

Committee chairman John Russell Thomas said planning for the search began in early November, immediately following Portera’s election as Chancellor of the three-campus UA System. “Mack and I have spent considerable time together over the last month discussing the process. With today’s announcement of the advisory committee, we are ready to get to work. I am looking forward to it.”