NIU Provost Kendall Baker is a step closer to receiving an offer for the presidency of another university.

Baker is one of three finalists for the presidency of Northern Michigan University at Marquette.

Five search committee members from NMU were on campus Monday asking faculty, deans and department chairs about Baker.

“There are three remaining finalists (including him), and NMU is in the process of visiting the campuses or locations of all three,” Baker said.

The process should be concluded by the end of the week, and NMU should make its selection by the end of the month.

Baker indicated that there were other institutions who had contacted him about positions, “but those searches are in various stages” and that he would “observe what they have published about their searches.”

Baker said he would consider an offer from NMU because it is “an interesting university in an interesting place.”

Baker also said he is attracted to NMU because it is the premier university in its region, the upper peninsula of Michigan, and it is strongly connected to its region.

He said the people at NMU are strongly committed to the institution and that it has some very good programs at all levels.