Mercer’s Presidential Search Committee, appointed last month by the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, has commenced its work identifying and recommending a successor to President William D. Underwood.

President Underwood, who announced in April that he plans to return to full-time teaching in 2026 as the Tommy Malone Distinguished Chair of Trial Advocacy at Mercer Law School, has served as the University’s 18th president since 2006.

The search committee, chaired by alumnus, current trustee and former board chair Richard A. (Doc) Schneider, is in the midst of compiling a leadership profile that defines the competencies and traits that will enable Mercer’s 19th president to effectively lead this institution that is nearing the 200th anniversary of its founding.

The Committee will be collecting input from the Mercer community and stakeholder groups as part of its work in compiling a leadership profile.

The Committee is dedicated to identifying a successor well before President Underwood’s service in that office ends in December.

Further updates will be provided as the committee continues its work.

The Search Committee appreciates the ongoing input it has received to date from various members of the Mercer community as it works to identify the University’s next leader.

Richard A. (Doc) Schneider
Chair, Presidential Search Committee

Thomas P. (Tom) Bishop
Chair, Board of Trustees

Cathy Callaway Adams
Chair, Board of Trustees Executive Committee

Other Members of the Search Committee

• Carolyn Townsend McAfee Bruner of Macon, Life Trustee

• Rev. James C. (Jimmy) Elder Jr. of Columbus

• Robert F. (Bob) Hatcher of Macon, Life Trustee

• David E. Hudson of Augusta

• David E. Linch of Atlanta

• William A. (Tony) Moye of McDonough

• The Honorable W. Louis Sands of Albany

• Dr. Jennifer Nunn Tarbutton of Sandersville

• Amy Miller Wall of Shreveport, Louisiana