(c) 2009 NCSU Student Media
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Larry Nielsen fields questions at a tuition meeting with the Board of Governors in the 1911 Building Aug. 25, 2008. Photo by Dreier Carr.
Provost Larry Nielsen resigned from his position, effective at the end of the business day May 22.
Nielsen said his decision to resign surrounds the continuing controversy of his hiring Mary Easley, the former governor’s wife, and reports of the political favors he received from the Easleys.
“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. The personal stress associated with this situation has simply become unbearable,” Nielsen said in his statement.
Despite reports from various news outlets about Nielsen’s hiring as a political move and his involvement with the Easleys over the course of the past year, in his statement, he continued to deny the charges.
“I understand that some people will choose to interpret my resignation at this time as an indication that there is validity to the implications of the newspaper’s stories. I repeat that the implications of these stories are untrue. I also repeat that I am resigning because I can no longer bear the anguish of dealing with these matters on a daily basis and because I hope that the university can now put this matter to rest as well,” Nielsen said.
Warwick Arden, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will serve as interim provost.
Nielsen, who has served as provost since January 2005, will be returning to the faculty.
Keep checking back for continued updates throughout the day. And follow Technician’s Twitter for updates.
Chancellor James Oblinger’s statement
Oblinger’s letter to the News & Observer
News & Observer Executive Privilege Series
Technician coverage of Mary Easley salary increase
Technician coverage of BOG review of salary contracts