Dr. Larry Nielsen, the provost at N.C. State, has resigned amid questions about his role in the hiring of former first lady Mary Easley.
A news release from the university says he is stepping down effective May 22.
"I have chosen to resign because of the intense public attention and criticism from my hiring of Mrs. Mary Easley and now because of questions surrounding the way I was hired as provost," Nielsen said in a letter to the NCSU community.
A report in the N&O Sunday showed that Nielsen hired Mary Easley in May 2005 while he was interim provost — and was about to be replaced, Andy Curliss reports. A public search process involving four other candidates began on the same day that Mary Easley faxed her resume to Nielsen.
Nielsen waived a job search, created a new position and hired Mary Easley for it two weeks later.
Nielsen has said the idea and the decision was his alone, but people involved in that search and university life say a temporary provost would not create a new position and fund it without consulting others.
Nielsen has refused all requests for interviews since March 31.
Last summer, Nielsen awarded Mary Easley a five-year $850,000 contract that touched off months of controversy.
Comments
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
July 16, 2009 - 10:57pm — wegs1967Lets see if I get this right. Falling on the sword to save the reputation of another individual is cowardly? Not where I come from. He stood by his decision, is taking the heat from idiots like you, and moving on with life at the same time. Would you be willing to stand by a desision you made if it turned out to be less than right. Not saying his choice was wrong, just asking you if you would have the guts to stand by your decision, or would you just pass it off on someone else to cover your ass?
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 15, 2009 - 8:06am — Acorn108This is a tragedy for NSCU. Dr. Nielsen has always been an honorable man. Working at NCState for several years now, Dr. Nielsen hasn't done anything here that hasn't been done at other academic centers around the nation. When a rare opportunity comes along that is obtainable for the good of our great university whether it is Mary Easley or any other action- the Provost should make it happen. While I don't agree with much concerning the Easleys, I do hope for the day that people from as far off as South Chicago will understand that most everyone does the best they can in any given situation. Whatever happened until innocent until proven guilty-not that Dr. Nielsen would ever do ANYTHING unethical! Positive is much better than negative.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 9:47pm — barbie50Mary Easley, have you no soul? This man did the decent thing. Now, it is your turn.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 4:27pm — lpetrouIs it me or is it suspicious that he stepped down so suddenly? I wonder what is really going on? Was the Feds about to get him? I am sure that AG Cooper is not ready to do anything or go after any of the Democrats. Cooper should also step down for performing his duties.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 4:21pm — BitterEXdemocratThere hasnt been 'INTENSE' public reaction about this, but there is about to be...Mary resign please.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 5:32pm — Taxpayer2008He could've stayed on if he tossed Queen Mary to the wolves instead of falling on his sword like a coward.
Dr. Nielson's pic should be on the blog, not Sleasly's!
(Is this forum the only one that accepts comments?...or am I being 'outed' on the regular comments?)
"Commenting is currently experiencing temporary technical difficutlies. We value your input, please try submitting your comment later. We apologize for the inconvenience."
What is this message all about? Its been up for days.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 12:58pm — Kingixolibyeah sure....I believe everything he said to be " the truth and nothing but the truth, so help him God"
The BS pile in NC is getting pretty deep......get y'alls boots on.
Baby Dumpling and the rest of the democRATS are pretty quiet these days.
Is ole Coop still around or is he up in DC hanging with the big"O"?...."Cover up Cooper" is good but "do nothing to get along" fits his profile better.
I understand there is a move afoot to change the state capital name from Raleigh to South Chicago.
Re: N.C. State provost steps down
May 14, 2009 - 12:06pm — JTwistNow if Purdue would set down!
Phil Berger is right...
May 15, 2009 - 10:22am — PoliticalJunkie...it is time for Roy "Cover Up" Cooper to stop running interference for his Democrat cronies and instead start prosecuting some of said cronies.
Good move on his part to call for a Special Prosecutor, hopefully "Cover Up" Cooper will comply.
Day 2 of Cooper's Cover Up and Counting.