The search for a replacement for Dean of the School of Education, John J. Augenstien has been narrowed down to two candidates, though the names are confidential for now, university officials said Monday.

The search committee has made its report to the Office of the Provost according to Provost Madeline Wake. Wake had no further comment on the subject.

There is no firm time frame for a decision according to Ben Tracy, director of university communication, however interviews will continue until a decision is made on the replacement.

The university went through a wide-ranging search for the next dean of Education according to Lauren Leslie, co-chair of the search committee. The university looked at associate deans and department chairs from across the country according to Leslie.

The university also put out advertisements in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Black Issues in Higher Education, Hispanic Outlook, Women in Higher Education as well as several professional list services. Leslie also sent a letter to the deans of Newsweek magazine's top 50 schools of education. There were also about 10 people who were invited to apply based on recommendations from colleagues, Leslie said.

Although the names of the two finalists are being kept confidential at this point, Leslie said she saw excellent qualities in both of them. She explained what she saw in the two candidates that she and other committee members liked about the two remaining candidates.

"Our finalists were both very experienced administrators who had worked with school districts" Leslie said. "In addition, they were accomplished scholars in their fields and had received teaching awards. Finally, they understood and were committed to our social justice mission."

Department of physics chair Ruth Howes, one of the members who served on the search committee, was pleased with the quality of applicants attracted to Marquette's School of Education.

Augenstein's "are big shoes to fill," Howes said. "Either of these two applicants are qualified and able to lead the School of Education."

Howes commended the two finalists' personal qualities that made them the final two nominees put forth by the committee.

"Both applicants are distinguished scholars, experienced administrators and dynamic leaders," Howes said. "They are both so highly qualified for the position. Lauren (Leslie) did a great job picking out a slate of candidates that are highly qualified. We ended up choosing the two most qualified of an extremely talented group. There was really no argument on the two choices, (the committee) pretty much came to a consensus on whom we were going to nominate."

Ellen Eckman, assistant professor of education, also served on the search committee. She saw not just applicants with great experience, but applicants who would be "advocates for the education faculty."

Eckman explained a few more of the qualities the search committee was looking for in the candidates.

"There are a lot of junior faculty in the School of Education," Eckman said. "We were looking for someone who could nurture and help those members of the faculty reach their tenures. We wanted someone who would represent the (School of Education) well internally and externally and we also wanted someone who was comfortable with fundraising."

Robert Fox, professor of education, agreed with Howes about the amount of experience and prominence the two final candidates bring with them.

"They have national reputations, administrative experience and great academic backgrounds," Fox said.

Fox also believes they would both be fit to be acting dean of the School of Education, but could not totally replace Augenstein.

"They're going to bring something different to the table, so I don't believe you can ever totally replace somebody, but they would both be more than qualified to be appointed dean of the School of Education."