"It's clear that this institution is moving forward," Olson said. "The whole campus has a sense of excitement. I'd like to be a part of it."

Jay Grimes left the Southern Miss provost post in August 2007, after serving since 2002, to assume full-time academic and research duties at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs.

Three more candidates - who all are also deans of colleges of arts and sciences - will interview for the post in the next three weeks. ...

During an open session with about 40 university staff members Wednesday morning, Olson stressed the importance of including staff, students and faculty in committees and in making plans. He believes in open meetings.

"One of the things I've championed is opening up our processes as widely as possible," Olson said.