Coastal Carolina University has announced that C. Aaron Kelley, the recently appointed dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, has withdrawn his acceptance of the position. Officials at Coastal have accepted the withdrawal.

Kelley indicated that due to personal problems he felt it was not appropriate for him to make such a career move at this time. Kelley also said it was a difficult decision due to his favorable impressions of Coastal faculty, staff, other administrators and board members and their commitment to the institution.

"They are as fine a group of quality-oriented, motivated, student- focused individuals as I have ever had the pleasure of meeting," Kelley said. "However, I also realized that if personal issues diverted too much of my time and energy, I might not be as effective a leader as they expect and deserve. Coastal Carolina is an outstanding university with an increasing potential to add value to the Myrtle Beach and South Carolina economy in a substantial way," he said.

Robert Nale will continue to serve as interim dean until a permanent dean is in place. Nale was named interim dean in November 2000 when former dean Peter Barr, who served as dean of the college since 1992, accepted a position in the private sector.

"Appointing a strong leader for the Wall College of Business is an institutional priority at this time," said Coastal President Ronald R. Ingle. The search for a new dean will continue.