6:55 p.m. update
Florida State University Board of Trustees Chair Allan Bense has released the following statement regarding President Eric Barron's possible departure:
"We have received no official communication from anyone about this," Bense writes. "If it is true that Dr. Barron is leaving, it will be a great loss for Florida State University. But we would certainly wish him well in his new endeavor. He would be greatly missed."
5:30 p.m. update
WFSU News has confirmed Florida State University President Eric Barron is a finalist to become Penn State University's next president. An announcement is expected Monday, but there's been no confirmation from either Penn State or Florida State officials that Barron is the nominee.
4:30 p.m. update
Florida State University President Eric Barron could be heading back to his old stomping grounds up north, according to an article posted at the site Onward State:
Onward State has learned exclusively from two sources directly involved with the situation that Florida State President Eric J. Barron will become Penn State’s next president. The decision will become official Monday at a previously announced press conference. Penn State trustees are expected to approve the hire Monday morning before a public announcement at noon. Barron will replace current Penn State President Rodney Erickson, who is set to retire by June 1, but may retire early with this announcement.
A Penn State spokesperson would not confirm the article. The school's board will meet Monday to review candidates and name a president. Unlike Florida, the presidential searches at Pennsylvania's public institutions are closed processes.
The meeting will be streamed live on Penn State's public radio station, WPSU.org.
If Barron is named President of Penn State, Florida State University would become the third Florida public university to undergo a national search for a CEO this year.
Both Florida Atlantic University and Florida A&M University recently named new presidents.
