U. calls press conference at noon, possibility of Princeton presidential announcement

The University called for a press conference at noon Sunday in an email sent to members of the media. The announcement comes roughly eight months after current University President Shirley Tilghman announced her plans to retire at the end of this academic year.

The search committee created to find Tilghman’s successor, composed of trustees, faculty members and students, has remained mute in the months-long search. However, University Vice President and Secretary Bob Durkee ’69 has said in the past that the announcement was expected in late March or early April.

The University’s Board of Trustees convened at Princeton for a regular meeting April 4-6. No announcement was made.

Former Dean of the Wilson School Anne-Marie Slaughter ’80, former Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Jackson GS ’86 and current Provost Christopher Eisgruber ’83 were widely speculated as being front runners in the search. However, Slaughter announced April 5 that she will be leaving the University to lead nonpartisan think tank New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Updated 11:30 a.m.

When reached at home Sunday morning about his plans for the day, Eisgruber declined to comment, referring The Daily Princetonian to the University's press office.

Shortly after 11 a.m., reporters saw Eisgruber's wife — Lori Martin — and son, formally dressed, leave their residence in Princeton and drive away.

More to come. Follow us on Twitter @princetonian for updates throughout the day.