Gov. Perry's Pick for A&M President Passed Over, Resigns

A top Texas A&M University executive who Gov. Rick Perry wanted promoted to school president has resigned after not getting the job.

Guy Diedrich is the latest in an exodus of Perry allies who have recently left the Texas A&M system. The Bryan-College Station Eagle reported Saturday that Diedrich quietly left his $300,000-a-year post as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in March.

Perry pushed A&M regents in December to select Diedrich as interim president of the 53,000-student campus. His public endorsement rankled faculty who accused the governor of trying to impose his political will on his alma mater.

Regents instead chose Mark Hussey, a longtime dean who's highly respected in academic circles at the school.

Diedrich is the third top A&M executive to leave since December.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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