Christian Hardigree named a finalist for Murray State University’s presidential search.
Photo courtesy of USF
By Alisha Durosier
USF St. Petersburg regional chancellor Christian Hardigree is being scouted.
In the search for its 15th president, Murray State University Board of Regents selected Hardigree as one of four finalists on Feb. 11.
The Kentucky university’s quest for a new president started last October, shortly after the sitting president, Bob Jackson, announced his retirement effective at the end of June 2025.
Last month, the presidential search committee selected 11 semifinalists out of the pool of applicants. After interviewing the candidates over the course of two days in a closed session, the committee selected its final four.
Excluding the chancellor, the named finalists include:
- Ron K. Patterson: President of Chadron State College
- Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson: Vice chancellor of academic and student affairs, and chief academic officer of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
- M. Chad Tindol: Chief administrative officer of the University of Alabama
With five campuses, Murray State is a public university located in Murray, Ky. Compared to the 52-acre St. Petersburg campus which has student population of over 3,000, Murray State is much larger.
However, compared to USF’s total student population of over 40,000, the rural college is relatively small, with a student population of over 10,000 across all five of its campuses.
“I love my job at USF St. Petersburg and feel deeply honored to serve this incredible community,” Hardigree told The Crow’s Nest.
The chancellor said that when she was approached with the opportunity, and after “careful consideration and consultation” with her family, she recognized that the possibility of being selected as president of Murray State was something she could not pass up.
“It has long been a dream of mine to serve as a university president, and just as I encourage our students to pursue their passions, I believe in following that advice myself,” Hardigree said.
Hardigree was named the second regional chancellor of the newly consolidated USF St. Petersburg campus in May 2022, replacing the previous chancellor, Martin Tadlock.
In a similar circumstance, she was chosen among four finalists by USF President Rhea Law.
Before coming to USF, Hardigree, who has a background in law and once served as a senior litigation attorney and partner at a law firm, was the founding dean of the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University. Formerly, she was the founding director and professor at the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality at Kennesaw State University.
As Murray State’s presidential search committee moves on to its next phase of interviews, which will appoint a new president to succeed Jackson, Hardigree said she will continue to focus on USF St. Petersburg’s students, faculty and staff.
“I will continue to support our campus community with the same passion and dedication that has always guided me.”
