PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College President Tom Keegan withdrew his application for the presidency of Tallahassee Community College in Florida.
College trustees in the Florida capital on Monday — just three days after Keegan’s e-mailed withdrawal — filled the position with an administrator already on the college staff.
Keegan sent the e-mail on Friday, confirmed Rob Chaney, communications specialist for Tallahassee Community College, on Monday.
“It has always been important to me that a good fit exists,” Keegan said. “After careful consideration, it became clear that this would not be the case for me at Tallahassee.”
Keegan, who has led Peninsula College since 2001, said his current plans are to remain at Peninsula College.
He was among five finalists for the Tallahassee position and Keegan interviewed for the position in September.
Only Keegan and a candidate from Ohio were non-Floridians.
“I appreciate the hospitality that was extended to [wife] Suzanne and myself while I was there,” he said.
Last year, Keegan was one of two finalists for a St. Petersburg, Fla., community college presidency.
Ironically, he lost out to the Tallahassee president, whose departure to St. Petersburg led to the vacancy filled Monday.
Jim Murdaugh, assistant vice president at Tallahassee, was named as the president.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
