The panel searching for a new president for West Virginia University is poised to begin reviewing the qualifications of about 60 candidates who met yesterday's deadline to apply or be nominated.

"The search committee is extremely pleased with the level of interest shown and with the caliber of candidates," said the panel's chair, Gene Budig.

WVU officials would not say yesterday how many of those who expressed active interest are sitting campus presidents. Dan Kim, a university spokesman, said the search committee plans to meet Friday to begin reviewing applications.

Officials at WVU have said they hope to name a successor to Mike Garrison by April 3.