A nationwide search is focusing on two Western Kentucky University grads for the position of president at the University of Southern Indiana.

Robert W. Parrent, originally from Bowling Green, and Timothy Todd of Dawson Springs said they were both inspired by past WKU presidents to continue seeking a prestigious career path.

USI is expected to choose between Todd, dean of the College of Business and Public Affairs at Murray State University; Parrent, vice president for student affairs at USI; and Linda Bennett, the school’s current provost. According to Sherrianne Standley, search coordinator for the school, the decision will be made by March, if not sooner.

Beginning July, the chosen candidate will become the school’s only third president since it was started in Evansville, Ind., in 1965.

“I’ve been asked if there’s a coincidence that all the candidates are from the tri-state, but I said, ‘Nope, there’s just a lot of talent around here,’ ” Standley said.

But the Hilltoppers credit their WKU roots with desire to head a school of more than 10,000 students.

In fact, Todd credits former WKU President Kern Alexander, who led WKU from 1986 to 1988, on stopping him from dropping out of school altogether.

Just after Todd was elected president of the Student Government Association, his father died in 1986 – and the normally campus-active student began considering leaving the Hill altogether.

“President Alexander candidly became a father to me, and that kept me in college,” Todd said. “He went walking with me and talking with me and kept me from making a knee-jerk reaction.”

Todd taught in the communications department at WKU until moving to North Carolina State University for his doctorate and a 13-year position in university development. In 1995, he moved to Murray State University, where he taught for three years before becoming associate provost in 1998.

While Todd will begin his two-day interview process Monday, it will not be the first time he has sought a presidential opportunity. He was a finalist for the presidential position at Murray State two years ago before officials hired current president Randy Dunn.

“In not getting that position, it gave me the opportunity to get the experience I would need in other areas I need to learn …” he said. “The president is directly responsible for the budget and personnel.”

Parrent, meanwhile, will go before the review committee beginning Tuesday during a process that will eventually include a public forum of students and university officials who can ask the candidate questions.

Parrent, a former Hilltopper baseball player, threw left-handed heat alongside his twin brother, Rick, and said he found inspiration in WKU President John Minton, a close friend of his father’s.

Parrent boasts 29 years of experience in higher education, with service beginning at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he worked in admissions.

He moved on to the University of Louisville, Midway College and Southeast Missouri State University to fill roles in student affairs and enrollment services. For the past seven years, he’s been vice president of student affairs in Evansville.

Parrent said he admires current WKU President Gary Ransdell for overseeing the university’s significant growth in enrollment and fundraising.

“The things he’s done there are things I want to help happen here at the university,” Parrent said.

Parrent said it didn’t occur to him to be a president until a colleague at U of L suggested it.

“I thought, ‘You’re nuts, I never thought of that,’ ” he said. “But the decision to pursue presidency is not a matter of convenience or comfort, it is a calling. And my wife Joni and I have that calling to serve this university.”

While he hasn’t met Todd, Parrent’s not surprised that there are two WKU grads competing for the highest position on campus.

“I’m sure he’s a great guy if he’s a Western guy, because we all share the same motto, ‘the spirit makes the master,’ ” Parrent said.

Todd said while he loves Murray and hopes to be moving to Evansville in the next few months, WKU will always be his academic home.

“I’m sitting in my office looking at a red towel right now,” he said.