WRAL’s report:
North Carolina State University Provost Larry Nielsen resigned abruptly Thursday morning, citing repeated questions over his hiring of the wife of former Gov. Mike Easley.
Our initial take is that Nielsen’s departure is the first fallout from this front page story in the News & Observer this weekend, citing the Easleys’ relationship with a Board of Trustees member.
Nielsen will step down as provost, but continue working for the university as a faculty member. It goes without saying that reticence to make needed personnel moves is par for the course at NC State.
We can’t yet confirm that Lee Fowler and Tom Stafford were in fact responsible for hiring Mary Easley. Damn it.
