The Texas Tech University System and the Board of Regents have named M. Duane Nellis as the sole finalist for the top administrative post at Texas Tech University.

"It is an honor to be selected as sole finalist for the Texas Tech University presidency," Nellis said. "Texas Tech University is one of the nation's rapidly-emerging public research universities, and I am grateful to be a part of the university's exciting and promising future."

The announcement for the president's post will be made only after a 21 day waiting period, as per the state law, which will be followed by a final vote by the Texas Tech Board of Regents

If selected, Nellis will become the 16th president of the university and succeed interim President Lawrence Schovanec, who was appointed in August 2012.

Currently, Nellis, is serving as the 17th president of the University of Idaho since July 2009. During his tenure Nellis secured record student enrollments, improved the university's research profile and initiated the largest fundraising campaign.

Earlier, he was a provost and senior vice president of Kansas State University and served as the dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in West Virginia University.

Nellis also served as a commissioner for the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities.

He was also a commissioner for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, where he coordinated higher education endeavors for 15 western states.

Nellis' academic achievements include a bachelor's degree in earth sciences/geography from Montana State University and master's and doctoral degrees in geography at Oregon State University.