The Reflector

Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum announced that Provost Peter Rabideau will step down from his role as chief academic officer at the end of the year and return to a full-time faculty position in the chemistry department.

A national search will be organized during the summer to fill the opening by the start of the 2010 spring semester.

Rabideau was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

"Dr. Rabideau has made major contributions to the progress of Mississippi State as provost during the past six years, and I have relied heavily on his academic expertise and administrative experience during my first five months as president," Keenum said in an e-mail. "The university owes its gratitude to Dr. Rabideau for his hard work and leadership ... I appreciate Dr. Rabideau's willingness to remain in his current position for several months, which will allow us to take a thoughtful and deliberate approach to the significant task of identifying his successor."

The Reflector will provide coverage of the provost search as it develops through the year.

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