N.C. State U. Provost Resigns Amid Controversy Over Hiring of Ex-Governor's Wife

North Carolina State University’s provost, Larry A. Nielsen, announced today that he would resign and return to the faculty after intense criticism for hiring Mary Easley, who is the wife of a former governor of the state, Michael F. Easley.

Ms. Easley, whose husband left office this year, has served as “executive in residence” and senior lecturer on the N.C. State campus. Mr. Nielsen created the position in May 2005, when he was interim provost, and filled it without conducting a formal search. Last summer he drew fire for awarding Ms. Easley a five-year, $850,000 contract.

Renewed criticism heated up recently, as people both inside and outside the university began questioning whether he had been promised the title of permanent provost in exchange for hiring Ms. Easley. A search committee to find a permanent provost was winding down right around the time he hired her. Details of the allegations appeared on Sunday in the Raleigh News and Observer.

Mr. Nielsen has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He wrote in his letter of resignation that the allegation of a political payoff was “absolutely false and groundless” and that “my only motive … has been to enhance our university’s capacity to serve our mission.” But “the personal stress associated with this situation,” he wrote, “has simply become unbearable.” —Megan Eckstein