Former University of Alabama president Guy Bailey was one of five finalists being considered for the next president of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M. The university’s Board of Regents announced at 4 p.m. today that Garrey Carruthers, dean of NMSU’s College of Business and governor of New Mexico from 1987 to 1991, had been selected as the new president.

(See also “Former president Guy Bailey a presidential candidate at New Mexico State University”)

NMSU, a research-oriented land grant university, is New Mexico’s second largest four-year university. The university also has four branches of community colleges that offer academic, technical and continuing education programs.

NMSU’s presidential search included on campus interviews, public and student forums and a reception for each of the finalists.

Bailey’s interview as a NMSU presidential candidate was just six months after his abrupt presidential resignation from the University of Alabama in October, after 57 days in office.

Prior to his presidency at UA, Bailey served as president of Texas Tech University from August 2008 to July of 2012.

According to previous Crimson White articles, Bailey cited his wife’s declining health as the reason for him stepping down at UA.

However, UA system chancellor Robert Witt said in a Nov. 16 interview with The Crimson White, Bailey would be able to remain a tenured employee of the University of Alabama, an exception to the rules specified in the Board of Trustees Manual. The manual states a retreating president should have served 5 or more years to be considered a tenured professor and eligible for a paid developmental leave.

Bailey currently draws more than $500,000 annually as a UA employee.

According to the Las Cruces Sun Times at the time of the NMSU candidacy, Bailey said his wife is now healthier than she has been in years and the couple was ready for another presidency.