Dr. Rodney D. Bennett is all set to become University of Southern Mississippi's first black president once he clears the final round of interviews with various campus constituencies.

The final announcement will be made post Thursday.

A Tennessee native, Bennett has already gone through the university's immensely rigorous selection process.

The university has been without a president since June, when Martha Saunders officially stepped down.

His leadership qualities and communication skills prompted the Board Search Committee to consider him as a preferred candidate for the job.

The committee was appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Previously, the university was not in favour of black applicants for both degree programs and management positions.

Aubrey K. Lucas, who served as director of admissions from 1957-61, told USA Today that it's been 54 years since this university denied admission to Clyde Kennard - the school's first black applicant in the1950s.

"The difference is unbelievable. There's been great change in this state. We have to be proud of that progress," Lucas said.

Currently, Bennett is serving as vice president for student affairs at University of Georgia and also as chair for the UGA Athletic Association NCAA Recertification process.

Earlier, he served as Georgia's dean of students and interim associate provost for institutional diversity, and was a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on-site committee.

Bennett also served as dean of students at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., as well.

"He's been involved with all facets of the campus - raised dollars and worked with athletics. And so he certainly possesses the skills to be successful," Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds told the newspaper.

His academic qualifications include a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State and a doctorate degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University, Nashville.