By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Sept. 1, 2001
Meridian Community College President Scott Elliott is one of five finalists named this week for the top post at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla.
Santa Fe's board of trustees plans to interview all finalists this month and possibly name a new president by Oct. 1. The new president will replace retiring Santa Fe President Lawrence W. Tyree.
Elliott, who has been MCC president for three years, said that people associated with the Santa Fe search asked him to apply. He said his interest in the position does not mean he is dissatisfied with the community or his job.
Tommy Dulaney, chairman of MCC's board of trustees, said that losing Elliott to Santa Fe Community College would be a major loss.
The MCC board used a consultant in its search that led to Elliott's hiring in July 1998. Before joining MCC, Elliott was in Clarendon, Texas, where he served as president of Clarendon College.
Dulaney said he knew that Elliott would be one of the finalists for the Santa Fe job.
Elliott called Santa Fe Community College one of the premier community colleges in the nation. He said student enrollment alone is about four times that of MCC's.
Elliott is a Florida native. His parents and in-laws live in Florida, and his daughter and grandchild live about an hour away from Gainesville.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.