The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences is one step closer to finding a new dean after Thursday’s first on campus interview.

Jeffrey Steagall of the University of North Florida was the first of five final candidates interviewed for the vacant position.

During Steagall’s visit he met with the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences chairs, Blair Lord, vice president for academic affairs, President Bill Perry, Cheryl Noll, chair of the School of Business & Administrative Team, and Jeanne Snyder, the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Associate Dean.

Along with meeting many of the administrators, each candidate will also meet with the college’s faculty and some students.

Steagall said Eastern’s Integrative Learning initiative drew him to the university.

“I’m inherently an interdisciplinary person who tries to get students to see how various subjects combine to help them understand the world,” Steagall said.

Steagall said he has enjoyed working with the University of Florida’s business school and is ready to move up.

“I am ready for the challenge to do that from the dean’s position,” Steagall said.

The search for a new dean began in October when the search committee began advertising the position. The search committee is composed of the Dean of the College of Science as well as various other faculty members representing the departments.

The two-day interview process is the final stage of the search for a new dean. The final interview will be Feb. 8.

One of the other candidates is James E. Payne from Illinois State University. Payne said he liked Eastern’s small classes.

“(The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences) is known for its small class sizes and for being a student centered learning environment,” he said. “I was really drawn to the way the college’s community outreach, and that is definitely something I would do more of.”

Ronald D. McNeil from the University of Illinois-Springfield spoke of his international approach.

“I was nominated and know a little bit about (Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences) so I figured it was worth looking into,” McNeil said. “I have a lot of international experience and have led trips to Europe and Asia before. I also continue to teach and greatly value the students. Without them we wouldn’t be here.”

The next candidate to be interviewed will be Jeffrey McNabb from Indiana State University Jan. 24. Mahyar Izadi, from Eastern Illinois University is another candidate for the position. Neither McNabb nor Izadi could be reached for comment.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or